CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE 
WAR  TIME  ACTIVITIES 


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!!  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE 
WAR  TIME  ACTIVITIES 


A  REPORT 
TO  THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS 

OF 

THE  MOTHER  CHURCH 

BY 

THE  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE 
WAR  RELIEF  COMMITTEE 


PUBLISHED  BY 

THE  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  PUBLISHING  SOCIETY 
BOSTON  -US -A 


i* 


A 


COPYRIGHT,   1922,   BY 
THE  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  PUBLISHING   SOCIETY 


PRINTED  IN   THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


BELOVED  STUDENTS,  loyal  laborers  are 
ye  that  have  wrought  valiantly,  and  achieved 
great  guerdons  in  the  vineyard  of  our  Lord;  but 
a  mighty  victory  is  yet  to  be  won,  a  great  freedom 
for  the  race;  and  Christian  success  is  under  arms, 
— with  armor  on,  not  laid  down. 

MARY  BAKER  EDDY, 

Miscellaneous   Writings,  page  120. 


VALUABLE  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THIS  REPORT 
HAVE  BEEN  MADE  BY 

R.  LILLIAN  BROCK 
AGNES  F.  CHALMERS 
EDWARD  W.  DICKEY 
CAROLINE  GETTY 
MARTIN  F.  JACKSON 
ARTHUR  W.  MARRIOTT,  2d 
EARL  McCLOUD 
RALPH  E.  PARKER 
LUCY  HAYS  REYNOLDS 
EDWARD  L.  RIPLEY 
EDITH  S.  STEARNS 
MABEL  S.  THOMSON 
MARGARET  S.  S.  WHYTE 


ROSTER  OF  STATE  WAR  RELIEF  COM- 
MITTEES   TO    WHOM    GRATEFUL 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT  IS  HERE- 
BY EXTENDED 

State  Chairman 

Alabama •    Mrs.  E.  T.  Foster 

Arizona Mr.  P.  F.  Magenheimer 

Arkansas Mr.  Sidney  M.  Brooks 

Northern  California     .      .      .       Mr.  Arthur  F.  Fosbery 
Southern  California     ....      Mr.  C.  Edwin  Pierce 

Colorado Mr.  John  G.  Kerr 

Connecticut Mr.  M.  N.  Mayehoff 

Delaware Mr.  Norman  E.  John 

District  of  Columbia Mr.  Philip  King 

Florida Mr.  John  H.  Williams 

Georgia Mr.  Frank  W.  Burr 

Idaho Mr.  B.  W.  Oppenheim 

Illinois Mr.  Jacob  S.  Shield 

Indiana Mr.  S.  T.  Downs 

Iowa Mr.  J.  Latimer  Davis 

Kansas Mr.  O.  T.  Cropper 

Kentucky Mrs.  Hiram  P.  Roberts 

Louisiana Mr.  A.  J.  Chapman 

Maine Mr.  Albert  H.  Conant 

Maryland Mr.  W.  H.  Jennings 

Massachusetts Mr.  I.  Pierce  Sewell 

Michigan Mr.  A.  H.  Hulscher 

Minnesota Mr.  C.  H.  Dennison 

Mississippi Mrs.  Lilian  Galarneau 

Missouri Mr.  W.  A.  Hinchman 

9 


WAR  RELIEF  COMMITTEES 

State  Chairman 

Montana Mr.  Richard  H.  Smith 

Nebraska Mr.  Lester  B.  McCoun 

Nevada Miss  Elizabeth  Smith 

New  Hampshire Mr.  Daniel  E.  Bridgman 

New  Jersey Mr.  Harry  B.  Fowler 

New  York Mr.  B.  F.  Bailey 

North  and  South  Carolina        .      .        Mr.  E.  Guggenheim 

North  Dakota Mr.  E.  LaRue 

Ohio Mr.  D.  S.  Humphrey 

Oklahoma Mr.  Charles  Mitschrich 

Oregon Mrs.  Ada  B.  Gage 

Pennsylvania Mr.  John  F.  Braun 

Rhode  Island Mrs.  May  D.  Robertson 

Tennessee Mr.  S.  D.  Cole 

Texas Mr.  Fred  W.  Indermille 

Utah Mr.  Warwick  A.  Tyler 

Vermont Mr.  E.  H.  Russell 

Virginia Mr.  Walter  H.  Miles 

Washington Mr.  C.  Macklem 

West  Virginia Mr.  W.  K.  Frederick 

Wisconsin Mr.  Ross  K.  Decew 

Wyoming Mrs.  Emma  J.  Umshler 

CANADA 

British  Columbia       ....      Mrs.  E.  Jewel  Robinson 

Manitoba Mr.  D.  S.  Robb 

Nova  Scotia Major  H.  B.  Stairs 

Ontario Mr.  J.  Edgar  Fielding 

FOREIGN 

Panama Mrs.  Lettie  M.  St.  Clair 

Hawaii Mrs.  Edith  Love 

Great  Britain      ....       Mr.  A.  G.  Maxtone-Graham 


10 


CONTENTS 


Introduction          .... 

13 

I. 

Beginnings             .... 

20 

II. 

Hands  Across  the  Sea  . 

29 

III. 

Helping  Halifax  .... 

61 

IV. 

Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare  Com- 

mittee:     ..... 

74 

In  Camp  and  Training  Station  . 

79 

Daily  Deeds  .... 

87 

"Quiet  Resting  Places"  . 

101 

"Our  Only  Preachers"     . 

117 

"He  Sent  His  Word"      . 

133 

With  the  Forces  Afloat  . 

144 

V. 

With  the  A.  E.  F.  in  France  . 

157 

VI. 

England's  Answer  to  the  Call 

211 

VII. 

A  Unique  Committee   . 

249 

VIII. 

Timely  Recognition 

296 

IX. 

Financial  Statement 

323 

X. 

Unselfish  Labor  Richly  Rewarded  . 

331 

11 


INTRODUCTION 

The  fine  spirit  of  cooperation  shown  by  Christian 
Scientists  everywhere  in  the  carrying  on  of  the  va- 
rious war  time  activities  of  our  denomination,  and 
their  unbounded  interest  in  and  enthusiasm  for  the 
work  in  all  its  phases,  has  produced  far-reaching  re- 
sults. These  being  yet,  in  point  of  time,  so  close  to  the 
events  themselves,  however,  it  is  difficult  for  one  to 
form  a  just  and  impartial  estimate  of  their  impor- 
tance. It  has  not  been  possible  heretofore  to  present  in 
a  complete  and  orderly  sequence  the  steps  which,  dur- 
ing the  nearly  five  years  that  have  marked  the  world's 
great  unrest,  were  taken  by  the  Christian  Science 
Church  to  aid,  both  in  spiritual  and  material  ways, 
those  whose  lives  were  affected  in  varying  degrees  by 
the  fortunes  of  war.  The  time  has  now  come,  however, 
when  it  is  not  alone  possible  but  most  desirable  to  sub- 
mit to  the  Christian  Science  field  a  full  report  of  the 
war  work  undertaken  by  the  movement. 

In  preparing  this  report  the  aim  has  been  to  pro- 
duce an  accurate  historical  record  of  achievements, 
which  will  at  all  times  be  well  balanced  and  which  will 
not,  for  obvious  reasons,  unduly  enlarge  upon  any 
single  phase  of  the  work.  Covering  the  years  1914- 
1919,  years  of  unwonted  activity,  there  has  naturally 
been  a  great  wealth  of  material  from  which  to  select, 
all  of  it  valuable  and  important.  Thus  the  chief  task 
has  been  the  elimination  of  a  great  quantity  of  subject- 
matter  equal  in  all  respects  to  that  included.  The  plan 

13 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

therefore,  has  been  to  deal  broadly  with  the  whole  sub- 
ject and  yet  to  introduce  here  and  there,  in  detail, 
typical  instances  which  serve  to  illustrate  specifically 
the  more  important  lines  of  activity  followed  in  the 
United  States  and  abroad,  especially  where  these 
serve  to  illuminate  the  metaphysical  purpose  which 
lay  behind  all  the  Committee's  efforts,  and  to  give 
the  results  obtained  by  the  application  of  divine  law 
as  taught  in  Christian  Science,  to  all  the  varied  and 
complex  problems  presented. 

A  War  Relief  Committee  was  appointed  by  the 
Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors  of  The  Mother 
Church  in  1914.  In  1917  a  Camp  Welfare  Committee 
was  also  appointed  by  the  same  authority.  These  were 
merged  in  1918  and  subsequently  the  words  "Camp 
Welfare"  were  omitted  from  the  title.  It  is  this  Com- 
mittee which  submits  the  following  report,  in  which 
is  included  the  story  of  the  efforts  and  achievements 
of  others  as  well,  for  the  many  war  time  activities  of 
Christian  Scientists,  working  singly  and  in  groups  all 
over  the  world  since  the  autumn  of  1914,  have  been  so 
closely  interwoven  that  it  is  impossible  to  tell  the  story 
properly  otherwise.  Noteworthy  instances  of  these 
exceptions  will  be  found  in  the  chapters  "Helping 
Halifax,"  "A  Unique  Committee"  and  "Timely 
Recognition." 

The  fall  of  1914  witnessed  the  establishment  of  the 
War  Relief  Fund  of  The  Mother  Church.  The  Com- 
forts Forwarding  Committee  began  its  work  in  the 
latter  part  of  1917  and  early  in  December  of  the 
same  year,  the  Halifax  Relief  Committee  made  its 
notable  trip  to  Nova  Scotia.  The  first  army  chap- 
lain was  appointed  at  almost  the  same  time,  this 
appointment  being  followed  at  short  intervals  by 

14 


INTRODUCTION 

others,  until  ten  were  serving  in  the  army  and  navy. 
The  War  Relief  Committee  for  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland  originally  appointed  in  1914  was  enlarged  in 
scope  in  1918  by  the  Christian  Science  Board  of 
Directors,  who  at  that  time  selected  three  persons  to 
carry  on  the  larger  work  planned.  Though  in  no  sense 
under  the  direction  of  the  American  Committee,  the 
work  in  the  United  Kingdom  was  modeled  largely 
after  that  in  the  United  States  and  was  an  extension 
of  the  work  established  in  1915  and  the  years  follow- 
ing at  Chatham,  Dover,  Aldershot,  Bedford  and 
Colchester  by  the  united  churches  of  the  London  dis- 
trict, in  Ripon  by  the  churches  of  Yorkshire,  and  in 
Edinburgh  and  Dublin  and  Newcastle  by  the  local 
churches  interested. 

Even  to  a  group  of  people  so  accustomed  as  are 
Christian  Scientists  to  seeing  the  so-called  impossible 
accomplished,  the  progress  of  the  work  of  this  Com- 
mittee during  the  late  months  of  1917  and  the  earlier 
ones  of  1918  was  astonishing.  The  rapid  and  success- 
ful building  of  the  organization  which  cared  so  satis- 
factorily for  the  work  in  the  American  and  British 
training  camps,  and  served  so  remarkably  well  both 
the  American  and  the  British  Expeditionary  Forces 
in  France  and  elsewhere,  was  the  result  of  genuine 
and  sustained  teamwork,  a  unified  effort  which  was 
unselfish  and  generous  beyond  praise.  This  support, 
always  extended  in  a  whole-hearted  and  unquestion- 
ing manner  by  those  at  home,  was  undoubtedly  the 
chief  explanation  of  the  splendid  results  obtained. 
With  such  backing,  success  was  inevitable. 

As  individual  Christian  Scientists,  living  in  far 
corners  of  the  world,  unorganized  groups  scattered 
here  and  there,  societies  and  churches,  large  and  small, 

15 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

had  responded  to  the  opportunity  to  aid  the  war  suf- 
ferers, when  it  was  first  presented  to  them  in  1914,  so 
they  eagerly  answered  the  call  made  in  November, 
1917,  to  extend  this  work.  Thus  within  a  period  of 
sixty  days,  the  entire  Christian  Science  movement  in 
the  United  States  was  completely  organized  and  in  a 
large  measure  at  work,  along  lines  which  we  shall  fully 
cover.  This  report  would  be  incomplete  without  a 
full  recognition  of  the  invaluable  assistance  rendered 
by  State  Committees  and  their  corresponding  sub- 
committees located  in  every  town  and  city  where  a 
Christian  Science  Church  or  Society  existed.  On 
these  committees  more  than  two  thousand  persons 
served  voluntarily  and  without  compensation.  The 
service  rendered  was  highly  important  and  nearly 
always  entailed  large  contributions  of  time  and  effort. 
In  fact  it  was  the  framework  of  the  structure  which, 
when  put  to  the  test,  as  it  was  on  many  occasions, 
proved  staunch  and  strong  at  all  points,  and  able  to 
respond  quickly  and  effectively  to  all  calls  made 
upon  it. 

There  were  employed  by  these  Committees  on  No- 
vember 11,  1918,  more  than  two  hundred  persons 
serving,  some  as  Camp  Workers,  others  as  Welfare 
Room  attendants,  and  a  few  in  other  important 
capacities.  These  persons  devoted  their  full  time  to 
the  work,  often  lived  in  the  camps  and  were  subject 
to  transfer  without  notice.  The  policy  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  in  the  matter  of  compensation  paid  the  sal- 
aried workers,  was  generous  and  in  every  case  enabled 
them  to  carry  on  their  work  free  from  financial  anxi- 
ety. The  body  of  the  report  will  bear  rich  and  varied 
testimony  as  to  the  high  character  and  value  of  the 
work  performed  by  these  men  and  women.  In  camp 

16 


INTRODUCTION 

and  hospital,  at  home  and  in  foreign  lands,  working 
under  strange  and  oftentimes  most  difficult  conditions, 
they  proved  worthy  of  the  high  responsibility  reposed 
in  them. 

At  the  time  of  the  greatest  activity,  there  were  in 
operation  in  the  United  States,  Canada,  England  and 
France,  something  over  one  hundred  Welfare  rooms, 
tents  and  buildings.  Some  of  these  are  pictured  in  the 
pages  of  this  report.  These  photographs  indicate  the 
care  and  thought  given  to  this  important  branch  of 
the  work.  In  our  own  buildings  and  equipment,  in- 
cluding some  additional  tents  and  rooms  elsewhere, 
the  Committee  had  invested  upward  of  $150,000. 
Equipment  has  been  disposed  of  advantageously,  in 
many  instances  at  better  than  sixty  per  cent  of  its  cost. 
Of  the  buildings  erected  in  or  near  camps,  it  is  hoped 
that  at  least  two  will  become  the  permanent  church 
homes  of  groups  of  Christian  Scientists  in  those  locali- 
ties. The  gift  of  another  has  been  asked  by  a  local  hos- 
pital for  a  free  clinic.  Two  have  reverted  to  the  owners 
of  the  land  on  which  they  were  located  according  to 
provisions  in  the  original  leases.  Several  others  are 
still  to  be  disposed  of.  Of  all  the  Committee's  assets 
at  the  time  of  its  demobilization,  the  buildings  were 
perhaps  in  the  main  the  most  difficult  to  realize  upon. 
Considerably  better  than  fifty  per  cent  was  secured 
from  the  sale  of  automobiles  which  at  one  time  repre- 
sented an  investment  of  in  excess  of  $40,000.  Of  the 
two  boats  owned  by  the  Committee,  both  have  been 
sold  at  advantageous  prices.  In  these  as  in  other  mat- 
ters, great  credit  must  be  given  to  the  State  Commit- 
tees, who  not  only  invested  the  funds  in  the  first  in- 
stance but  who  faithfully  conserved  and  disposed  of 
the  assets  when  the  work  was  concluded.  The  most 

17 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

important  thing  done  by  the  Committee  was,  of 
course,  the  distribution  of  the  Christian  Science  text- 
book, "Science  and  Health  with  Key  to  the  Scrip- 
tures," by  Mary  Baker  Eddy.  In  the  neighborhood  of 
forty  thousand  copies  were  distributed  without  cost 
to  the  recipient.  At  the  same  time  large  quantities  of 
Bibles  were  also  given  out  and  during  the  year  1918 
more  than  six  million  copies  of  the  Monitor  were  dis- 
tributed. These  figures  alone  speak  volumes  for  the 
activity  and  tireless  energy  of  the  workers  to  whom 
fell  the  bulk  of  the  distribution  work  involved. 

Great  praise  is  due  the  splendid  workers  in  the 
United  Kingdom  for  the  way  in  which  they  started 
the  work  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  war  and  ex- 
panded it  from  year  to  year  despite  formidable  obsta- 
cles. American  readers  will  especially  appreciate  the 
story  of  the  work  there  as  presented  in  this  report 
by  the  Committee  for  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 
The  Trustees  under  Mrs.  Eddy's  Will  aided  the 
English  work  substantially  in  its  earlier  days  through 
the  purchase  of  literature  for  distribution. 

The  story  of  the  work  in  France  is  quite  out  of  the 
ordinary  and  for  that  and  other  reasons  will  strongly 
appeal  to  all  Christian  Scientists.  While  the  workers 
selected  for  the  service  had  many  extremely  interest- 
ing and  unusual  experiences,  it  should  be  remembered 
that  they  had  not  a  few  unusual  burdens  to  bear,  since 
conditions  in  France  in  1918  were  in  many  respects 
difficult  and  trying. 

The  administration  of  the  fund  in  foreign  lands 
deserves  the  warmest  commendation.  Concerning  this 
work  as  carried  on  in  England,  France  and  Italy,  the 
report  will  be  quite  complete.  Less,  however,  can  be 
related  of  that  done  in  Holland,  Denmark  and  Swit- 

18 


INTRODUCTION 

zerland,  for  the  reason  that  personal  contact  with 
these  countries  during  the  latter  years  of  the  war  was 
most  difficult  and  information  is  only  now  slowly 
filtering  in.  In  these  places,  however,  devoted  Scien- 
tists have  been  administering  the  funds  of  the  Com- 
mittee wisely  and  helpfully  and  doing  great  good. 

The  information  contained  in  the  section  of  the 
report  devoted  to  Finance  is  most  gratifying  and  indi- 
cates that  many  willing  hands  make  any  task  a  light 
and  joyous  one,  and  the  stories  of  personal  expe- 
riences in  the  concluding  section  will  make  us  all  glad. 

These  various  and  widely  separated  activities  are 
brought  together  in  this  report  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
correlated  and  arranged  so  that  each  section  fits  into 
the  story  chronologically, 


19 


I 

BEGINNINGS 

WHEN  the"  fires  of  conflict  were  first  kindled  in 
August,  1914,  it  took  some  months  for  the  enlightened 
nations  of  the  earth  to  awaken  to  the  fact  that  a  gigan- 
tic struggle  for  human  liberty  had  been  forced  upon 
them.  Christian  Scientists,  however,  though  at  first 
but  faintly,  perceived  the  true  nature  of  the  problem 
which  the  world  was  vainly  trying  to  solve  through  a 
dependence  upon  human  means  and  methods.  They 
became  more  and  more  convinced  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  maintain  an  attitude  of  neutrality  towards  the 
world  war  for  the  reason  that  only  those  nations  which 
had  some  understanding  of  Principle,  as  revealed 
in  Christian  Science,  were  adequately  armed  and 
equipped  to  carry  a  righteous  cause  to  a  victorious 
conclusion.  Until  the  American  nation  as  a  whole 
attained  to  some  realization  of  this  fact,  Christian 
Scientists  in  that  country  were  obliged  to  work  more 
or  less  as  individuals,  but  the  constant  desire  to  help 
in  the  solution  of  the  world  problem  crystallized  itself 
in  the  establishment  of  the  War  Relief  Fund  by  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  The  Mother  Church,  and 
accordingly  the  following  announcement  appeared  in 
the  Christian  Science  Sentinel  of  October  24,  1914 : 

A  RELIEF  FUND 

"The  many  Christian  Scientists  who  have  desired  to  con- 
tribute to  the  relief  of  those  of  our  people  who  are  enduring 

21 


BEGINNINGS 

the  hardships  which  war  entails,  will  welcome  the  oppor- 
tunity afforded  by  the  following  letter,  a  copy  of  which  has 
been  mailed  to  all  branch  churches  and  societies  in  the  United 
States : 

"  'To  the  Christian  Science  Churches  and  Societies  in  the 
United  States. 

"  'Dear  Friends  : 

"  'This  Board  has  been  informed  that,  as  a  consequence  of 
the  war  in  Europe,  Christian  Scientists  in  the  countries 
affected  are  in  great  distress.  As  a  means  of  relieving  this 
distress,  The  Mother  Church  will  take  a  collection  at  both  of 
its  services  on  Sunday,  October  25.  If  your  organization 
should  desire  to  take  similar  action  this  Board  will  be  glad  to 
forward  to  reliable  committees  of  Christian  Scientists  what- 
ever amounts  you  may  send  for  this  purpose. 

"  'Remittances  may  be  sent  to  Adam  H.  Dickey,  Treasurer, 
103  Falmouth  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

« 'Very  sincerely, 

"  'The  Christian  Science  Board  or  Directors. 
"  'By  John  V.  Dittemore,  Secretary.'  " 

In  the  fall  of  that  year  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Lectureship  was  called  to  undertake  a  trip  to  Europe 
in  order  to  organize  relief  committees  in  the  different 
countries.  This  delegate  was  provided  with  the  proper 
credentials  from  The  Mother  Church  describing  the 
object  of  his  mission,  and  went  to  Washington  to 
secure  a  passport.  There  he  had  interviews  with  the 
Secretary  of  State  and  some  of  the  ambassadors 
accredited  to  the  United  States  from  the  warring 
nations,  receiving  their  hearty  commendation  of  the 
plan. 

The  delegate  sailed  from  New  York  on  November 
16,  1914,  and  on  his  arrival  in  London  requested  the 

22 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Committee  on  Publication  for  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land, to  call  a  relief  committee  representing  the  whole 
of  the  British  Isles. 

The  members  of  this  committee  were  asked  to 
administer  the  fund  which  was  originally  intended  to 
assist  Christian  Scientists  who  had  been  placed  in 
financial  difficulty  by  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  There 
were  families  where  fathers  had  been  called  to  the 
colors,  leaving  wives  and  children  totally  unprepared 
to  earn  a  living.  There  were  men  whose  business 
affairs  had  been  wiped  out  of  existence  by  the  declara- 
tion of  war.  There  were  students,  teachers,  artists,  who 
found  their  livelihood  taken  away,  as  it  were,  over- 
night, because  people  felt  forced  to  do  without  the 
so-called  luxuries  of  life.  Many  persons  found  their 
income  stopped  or  greatly  curtailed  because  they  held 
securities  in  some  of  the  countries  involved  in  the 
struggle.  In  short,  there  were  many  cases  where 
Christian  Scientists  were  faced  with  the  problem  of 
demonstrating  that  supply  is  invariable  and  unlimited. 
To  lift  the  sense  of  fear  for  such  as  these  and  so  enable 
them  to  perceive  the  ever-presence  of  God's  care,  was 
the  aim  of  the  War  Relief  Fund.  In  proportion  as  it 
was  seen  that  the  love  which  prompted  the  gifts  of 
Christian  Scientists  to  the  fund  was  the  real  sub- 
stance of  the  help  extended,  fear  was  cast  out,  and 
individuals  were  able  to  dispense  with  further  aid 
from  the  fund.  Not  only  so  but  they  were  put  in  a 
position  to  help  others,  thus  proving  again  the  spirit- 
ual fact  that  "whatever  blesses  one  blesses  all"  (Sci- 
ence and  Health,  page  206).  A  most  interesting  illus- 
tration of  this  point  which  occurred  in  France  through 
the  work  of  a  sculptress  will  be  related  in  more  detail 
in  the  chapter  devoted  to  that  country. 

23 


BEGINNINGS 

The  plans  devised  for  the  distribution  of  the  fund  in 
Great  Britain  served  as  a  model  for  the  committees 
of  other  countries  visited  by  the  delegate  from  the 
Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors.  A  call  was 
made  in  London  upon  the  representatives  of  the 
United  States  Government  and  when  the  purpose  of 
our  fund  was  told  them  their  verdict  was  expressed  in 
the  words,  "That  is  splendid."  In  Paris  plans  were 
perfected  for  a  committee  of  four  to  handle  the  war 
relief  work  for  France.  A  joint  meeting  of  the  two 
churches  in  Paris  was  addressed  by  the  delegate,  to 
familiarize  the  membership  with  the  working  plan  of 
the  relief  fund.  In  Paris,  too,  the  delegate  found  the 
American  embassy  most  cordial,  and  was  told  that 
The  Christian  Science  Monitor  was  always  to  be 
found  there. 

Similar  committees  were  organized  in  Geneva  for 
French-speaking  Switzerland  and  at  Zurich  for 
German-speaking  Switzerland.  Then  in  accordance 
with  instructions  from  the  Christian  Science  Board 
of  Directors,  the  delegate  made  arrangements  to  ex- 
tend the  benefits  of  the  relief  fund  to  Christian 
Scientists  in  Germany  also.  Here  the  difficulties  en- 
countered at  first  seemed  somewhat  discouraging,  but 
with  the  help  of  the  Committee  on  Publication  in 
Zurich  a  necessary  letter  was  secured  from  the  Ger- 
man ambassador  at  Berne  and  the  journey  under- 
taken. A  stop  was  made  at  Stuttgart  where  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Science  Society  was  visited  and  a  mes- 
sage left  for  the  Society  explaining  the  purpose  of  the 
relief  fund.  In  Berlin  a  committee  representing  the 
Christian  Science  Churches  and  Societies  of  Germany 
met  to  handle  the  portion  of  the  relief  fund  which  was 
assigned  to  them. 

24 


West  Entrance  to  Welfare  Building,  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Building,  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey 


The  Bubbler  Fountain,  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

After  the  entrance  of  Italy  into  the  world  struggle 
a  committee  was  organized  in  that  country  through 
the  initiative  of  Christian  Scientists  in  Florence,  the 
administration  of  the  fund  being  like  that  of  the  other 
committees  in  Europe.  A  committee  was  also  organ- 
ized in  Holland.  Many  touching  incidents  marked 
the  delegate's  trip.  By  means  of  a  special  fund  he  was 
able  to  bring  much-needed  assistance  to  individuals 
who  were  in  immediate  need.  Frequently  the  fear  of 
those  in  want  was  so  quickly  overcome  that  they  wrote 
stating  that  there  was  no  further  need  for  help.  The 
tragedies  of  the  war  were  mitigated  for  many,  un- 
avoidable separations  were  bridged  over  and  the  heal- 
ing work  stimulated. 

December  5,  1914,  the  fund  was  opened  to  non- 
Scientists  in  the  following  announcement  which  was 
made  to  the  field, 


MORE  RELIEF  NEEDED 

"In  the  Sentinel  of  October  24,  a  call  was  issued  for  con- 
tributions to  a  fund  for  the  relief  of  Christian  Scientists  who 
were  in  distress  as  a  consequence  of  the  present  war.  In  re- 
sponse to  this  call  the  generous  sum  of  $80,413.90  has  been 
received,  and  this  fund  will  be  distributed  to  Christian  Scien- 
tists by  committees  now  being  organized  by  William  D.  Mc- 
Crackan,  who  is  in  Europe  for  that  purpose.  It  is  believed 
that  the  amount  of  money  now  in  hand  will  be  sufficient  for 
the  needs  of  Christian  Scientists,  and  for  the  present  at  least 
this  fund  will  be  closed. 

"There  is,  however,  great  need  of  funds  for  the  relief  of 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  others  besides  our  own  people  who 
are  in  poverty  and  distress  by  reason  of  the  war,  and  a  col- 
lection for  their  benefit  will  be  taken  in  The  Mother  Church 

25 


BEGINNINGS 

at  both  services  on  Sunday,  December  6.  An}'  branch  church 
or  society  which  takes  similar  action  may  remit  to  Adam  H. 
Dickey,  Treasurer,  103  Falmouth  Street,  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts, and  such  amounts  as  are  received  will  be  forwarded  to 
the  same  committees  of  Christian  Scientists  for  distribution." 

In  the  Sentinel  of  April  3,  1915,  the  following  re- 
port on  the  War  Relief  Fund  made  it  a  permanent 
war  fund  of  The  Mother  Church: 


RELIEF   FUND   FOR  WAR   SUFFERERS 

"In  response  to  the  call  for  contributions  for  the  relief  of 
Christian  Scientists  in  distress  by  reason  of  the  present  war 
in  Europe,  the  sum  of  $82,104.02  has  been  received  by  the 
Treasurer  of  The  Mother  Church.  Of  this  amount,  $77,595.51 
has  been  disbursed  to  the  relief  committees  organized  by  Mr. 
McCrackan  in  England,  Germany,  France,  and  Switzerland, 
as  called  for  by  them.  Much  gratitude  has  been  expressed 
by  the  Christian  Scientists  in  these  countries  for  the  help 
extended  to  them  by  their  brethren  in  America. 

"In  addition  to  the  $82,104.02  collected  for  the  relief  of 
Christian  Scientists,  there  has  also  been  collected  the  sum  of 
$29,154.90  for  the  relief  of  war  sufferers  other  than  Christian 
Scientists.  This  entire  amount  has  been  disbursed  to  relief 
committees  of  Christian  Scientists  in  Holland,  England, 
France,  and  Switzerland.  The  total  amount  received  to  date 
for  these  two  funds  is  $111,258.92,  of  which  but  $4508.51 
remains  unexpended.  As  the  need  for  help  still  continues,  this 
small  balance  will  not  last  long;  therefore  Christian  Scien- 
tists are  given  the  opportunity  to  continue  to  send  contribu- 
tions to  the  Treasurer  of  The  Mother  Church  for  this  relief 
work.  For  the  future  it  is  proposed  to  maintain  but  one  fund, 
and  from  this  both  Christian  Scientists  and  others  will  be 
assisted." 

26 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

From  that  date  a  continuous  and  steady  flow  of 
voluntary  offerings  poured  into  the  office  of  the 
Treasurer  of  The  Mother  Church  with  the  desire  of 
bringing  some  measure  of  relief  to  the  countries  of 
the  world  where  war  was  working  its  devastations. 
With  the  declaration  of  war  by  the  United  States  the 
needs  were  brought  much  closer  home  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare 
Committee  called  for  ample  funds  to  maintain  and 
support  its  activities. 

In  November,  1917,  the  Manager  of  this  commit- 
tee started  on  a  tour  of  the  United  States  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  State  Committees  who  should  have 
jurisdiction  over  the  work  within  their  borders  and 
who  should  aid  in  raising  funds  for  the  maintenance 
of  the  activity. 

In  January,  1918,  a  Camp  Welfare  account  was 
opened  by  the  Treasurer  of  The  Mother  Church. 

Christian  Scientists  in  some  of  the  states  had  al- 
ready subscribed  thousands  of  dollars  for  work 
among  the  enlisted  men  in  their  own  neighborhoods. 
It  soon  became  evident,  however,  that  such  a  distribu- 
tion of  the  financial  burden  was  neither  feasible  nor 
just.  Such  a  state  as  South  Carolina,  for  instance,  had 
three  national  army  cantonments  within  its  borders 
while  a  state  like  Minnesota  had  none.  Moreover, 
there  was  a  much  larger  percentage  of  Christian 
Scientists  in  some  states  than  in  others,  so  that  it  was 
decided  very  early  in  the  development  of  the  Camp 
Welfare  activities  to  have  a  fund  administered  by 
The  Mother  Church  to  which  each  state  would  send 
its  contributions  for  the  support  of  the  committee. 
Each  State  Committee  had  a  Financial  Secretary  in 
charge  of  this  work  and  through  the  fund  each  state 

27 


BEGINNINGS 

was  supplied  with  a  Revolving  Account  sufficient  to 
meet  the  demands  made  upon  it  for  work  in  the  camps 
within  its  borders. 

It  was  early  made  plain  that  the  Camp  Welfare 
Committee  must  have  the  assurance  of  a  regular  in- 
come to  the  fund  and  to  meet  this  need  the  State 
Committees  adopted  various  means  and  methods.  In 
some  cases  branch  churches  pledged  themselves  to  give 
so  much  a  month,  or  a  total  lump  sum  to  be  paid 
within  a  certain  date.  Again,  individuals  subscribed 
a  stipulated  sum  monthly  to  the  fund.  It  was  pointed 
out  by  many  of  the  State  Committees  that  if  indi- 
viduals pledged  themselves  to  pay  regularly  even  so 
small  a  sum  as  one  dollar  per  month  the  Camp  Wel- 
fare Committee  would  have  a  bountiful  income,  suffi- 
cient to  meet  every  need.  Many  persons  adopted 
this  method  of  giving  and  many  others  sent  in  con- 
tributions from  time  to  time.  At  the  services  conducted 
by  the  men  in  khaki  and  blue,  collections  were  often 
taken  voluntarily  and  were  added  to  the  general  fund. 

As  the  magnitude  of  the  work  in  the  camps  began 
to  dawn  upon  the  thought  of  those  in  charge,  it  was 
seen  that  it  would  tremendously  simplify  the  admin- 
istration of  the  fund  and  obviate  duplication  of  work 
for  the  Treasurer  of  The  Mother  Church  to  consoli- 
date the  Camp  Welfare  and  War  Relief  Funds. 
Accordingly  on  March  23,  1918,  it  was  announced  in 
the  Christian  Science  Sentinel  that  thereafter  all  dis- 
bursements would  be  made  from  the  consolidated 
fund. 


28 


II 

HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

ENGLAND 

When  the  cataclysm  of  August,  1914,  shook  human 
consciousness  to  its  depths,  and  revealed  as  never  be- 
fore the  precariousness  of  all  merely  material  depend- 
ence, humanity  found  itself  face  to  face  with  such 
unprecedented  difficulties  and  hitherto  unconceived 
terrors  that  "men's  hearts  failed  them  for  fear."  This 
upheaval,  however,  brought  with  it  a  more  compre- 
hensive revelation  of  the  compassionate  mission  of 
Christian  Science  and  provided  an  opportunity  for 
Christian  Scientists  to  serve  mankind  in  many  ways 
that  might  never  have  arisen  otherwise.  The  first  evi- 
dence of  this  was  the  establishment  in  December, 
1914,  of  The  Mother  Church  Relief  Fund  to  aid  suf- 
ferers through  the  war.  A  representative  was  sent  by 
the  Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors  of  The 
Mother  Church  to  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  to  initi- 
ate the  work.  This  representative  formed  a  series  of 
committees  consisting,  all  told,  of  nineteen  delegates 
from  various  sections  of  the  United  Kingdom,  all 
under  the  chairmanship  of  the  District  Manager  of 
Committees  on  Publication  for  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land. Grants  from  the  fund  were  sent  from  Boston 
and  distributed  to  the  committees  in  accordance  with 
requests  received  from  them.  During  a  period  of  three 
and  a  half  years,  from  January,  1915,  to  July,  1918, 

29 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

relief  was  extended  to  more  than  2600  cases  in  this 
way.  Although  Christian  Scientists  in  the  United 
Kingdom  and  the  Colonies  were  naturally  most 
anxious  to  contribute  to  The  Mother  Church  Relief 
Fund,  it  was  then  impossible  for  them  to  do  so  under 
the  Defence  of  the  Realm  Act,  inasmuch  as  a  portion 
of  the  fund  would  be  used  to  aid  sufferers  in  the  coun- 
tries with  which  the  United  Kingdom  and  her  Colo- 
nies were  at  war. 

The  needs  to  be  met  at  the  time  the  fund  was 
opened  differed  somewhat  from  those  which  subse- 
quently presented  themselves.  The  war  broke  out  with 
startling  suddenness  and  many  well-to-do  people 
found  themselves  reduced  to  poverty  almost  in  a 
night.  In  these  opening  daj^s,  consequently,  the  need 
was  often  for  substantial  sums  to  prevent  the  collapse 
of  small  businesses,  to  carry  on  the  education  of  chil- 
dren, or  to  train  individuals  for  professions  to  take  the 
place  of  those  which  war  conditions  had  swept  away. 
A  great  deal  of  help  was  also  extended  to  landladies 
in  districts  which  suffered  heavily  from  air  raids  and 
bombardments.  Much  also  was  done  for  the  relief  of 
those  in  absolute  destitution.  In  one  instance,  one  of 
the  local  committees  found  a  woman  who  had  been 
struggling  for  six  weeks  to  support  herself  and  four 
children  on  five  shillings  and  sixpence  a  week.  She 
would  neither  run  in  debt,  nor  beg,  and  when  she 
was  found,  there  was  literally  nothing  in  the  house, 
both  she  and  the  children  being  in  a  pitiful  condition, 
having  had  no  food  for  twenty-four  hours.  The  family 
is  now  well  cared  for,  and  the  woman's  gratitude  is 
very  great. 

Another  case  was  that  of  a  young  German  woman 
married  to  a  Church  of  England  clergyman,  who 

30 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

obtained  a  separation  from  her  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
war  because  she  was  a  German.  Under  the  deed  of 
separation  she  received  thirteen  shillings  and  five 
pence  maintenance  money,  but  owing  to  the  strong 
feeling  against  her  nationality  she  was  not  able  to  get 
work  to  supplement  this  sum.  She  is  not  a  Christian 
Scientist  but  has  found  that  the  only  alleviation  of  her 
circumstances  has  come  through  Christian  Science  and 
is  extremely  grateful  for  the  relief  extended  to  her 
each  week.  Recently  she  returned  to  Germany,  saying 
that  she  would  at  once  look  up  the  nearest  Christian 
Science  Reading  Room  and  tell  of  the  loving  treat- 
ment she  has  received  through  The  Mother  Church 
Fund. 

In  one  instance  where  help  was  given  in  very  sad 
circumstances,  the  recipient  wrote  that  she  had  no  idea 
that  her  affairs  were  known  to  anyone,  or  that  there 
was  such  a  blessing  as  The  Mother  Church  Relief 
Fund.  She  said  that  the  gift  was  a  most  wonderful 
answer  to  her  prayers. 

Relief  was  also  extended  to  a  number  of  working 
dressmakers,  whose  small  businesses  failed  in  the  early 
days  of  the  war.  Several  struggling  artists  and  musi- 
cians whose  means  of  livelihood  abruptly  stopped, 
were  also  helped  for  a  period.  A  number  of  boarding- 
house  keepers  at  some  of  the  popular  seaside  resorts, 
were  likewise  recipients  of  relief  from  the  fund.  The 
war  broke  out  just  at  the  beginning  of  the  summer 
season,  and  the  towns,  particularly  on  the  east  coast, 
lost  many  of  their  usual  summer  visitors  through  the 
anticipation  of  enemy  raids  by  sea  or  by  air,  and 
through  the  necessary  military  regulations  regarding 
coast  defence. 

Excerpts  from  several  of  the  many  letters  received 

31 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

by  the  General  Committee  administering  the  fund 
for  Great  Britain  give  a  clear  indication  of  the  good 
accomplished  in  that  country. 
One  says : 

"Enclosed  please  find  receipt  for  the  balances  of  the 
amount  so  generously  granted  me  by  The  Mother  Church, 
for  which  we  are  profoundly  thankful.  It  has  indeed  been  the 
means  of  giving  us  a  fresh  start  in  life  unburdened  with 
debts.  .  .  .  Am  pleased  to  inform  }^ou  that  the  improvement 
in  health  continues  and  I  appear  to  be  steadily  gaining  in 
strength,  in  fact  all  my  friends  remark  how  well  I  am  looking 
lately,  thanks  to  Christian  Science." 

A  Committee  reports : 

"I  am  sure  it  will  interest  you  to  hear  of  another  proof  of 
the  unity  of  good.  The  people  with  whom  I  was  able  to  place 
Mrs.  W.  through  the  allowance  made  to  her  by  the  War 
Relief  Fund  are  receiving  such  benefit.  The  man,  a  clerk  in 
the  Post  Office,  has  been  away  from  work  for  sixteen  weeks. 
Mrs.  W.  told  him  about  Christian  Science  and  he  got  Science 
and  Health  and  read  constantly,  with  the  result  that  he  is 
now  back  at  work  and  he  and  his  wife  have  begun  to  attend 
our  services." 

Another : 

"This  morning  I  received  a  letter  from  a  lady,  enclosing 
one  pound  for  the  fund,  and  writing:  'Two  years  ago  I  was 
the  recipient  of  ten  pounds  from  this  fund,  which  enabled  me, 
amongst  other  things,  to  visit  a  Christian  Science  friend. 
From  that  time  my  needs  have  always  been  met  and  I  felt 
very  strongly  the  right  thought  which  must  accompany  these 
gifts  from  Scientists  in  America  and  elsewhere.'  " 

A  local  Committee  in  England  writes: 

"You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  the  two  cases  which  have 
received  the  largest  donations  from  the  fund  in  this  district, 

32 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

have,  through  this  help,  been  able  to  make  a  magnificent 
demonstration  and  have  repaid  more  to  the  local  funds  in 
subscriptions  than  they  originally  received." 

Another  beneficiary  says : 

"I  herewith  hand  you  £60,  sixty  pounds,  in  bank  notes  for 
the  War  Relief  Fund. 

"In  December  the  first  year  of  the  war,  as  you  know,  I 
had  lost  all  my  business  and  was  owing  my  house  rent  and 
taxes  to  the  amount  of  £55.  This  had  got  on  top  of  me  to 
the  extent  that  I  did  not  seem  to  be  able  to  think  of  anything 
clearly  and  was  in  the  depths  of  despair,  not  seeing  any  way 
out  of  the  seeming  trouble.  At  this  time  you  spoke  to  me  of 
the  War  Relief  Fund,  just  then  available,  with  the  result  that 
a  cheque  for  the  £55  was  sent  to  me.  The  receipt  of  this 
money,  coming  as  it  did  with  such  loving  thought  behind  it, 
lifted  the  heavy  cloud,  and  from  that  day  I  was  a  new  man 
and  was  able  to  help  myself. 

"I  have  gradually  worked  up  a  new  business  and  although 
there  have  been  times  of  trial,  still  I  have  been  able  to  look 
to  the  only  source  for  the  solving  of  all  problems  and  know 
that  He  does  not  look  at  the  seeming  faults,  mistakes,  mis- 
directed efforts,  etc.,  but  sees  only  the  perfect  man. 

"I  have  many  times  wanted  to  give  a  good  amount  to  this 
fund  but  it  is  only  now  that  I  have  been  able  to  make  the 
perfect  demonstration. 

"Words  are  inadequate  to  express  my  very  deep  gratitude 
but  I  know  that  others  will  be  blessed,  as  I  have  been,  through 
this  fund." 

After  the  appointment  in  1918  of  the  Christian 
Science  War  Relief  Committee  for  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  a  letter  was  received  from  the  Christian  Sci- 
ence Board  of  Directors  recommending  the  reorgani- 
zation of  the  administration  of  the  War  Relief  Fund, 
and  advising  that  relief  should  be  extended  only  to 

33 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

refugees  or  those  in  actual  destitution.  The  problem  of 
unemployment  had  almost  disappeared  in  1918,  owing 
to  the  large  numbers  engaged  in  munition  making,  or 
kindred  activities.  Therefore,  the  nature  of  the  relief 
work  changed  considerably,  and  the  number  of  cases 
helped  was  greatly  reduced.  The  endeavor  was  made 
to  have  the  War  Relief  agent  in  charge  of  a  case  make 
the  payments  weekly,  thereby  keeping  in  close  touch 
with  the  recipient,  and  giving  such  encouragement  and 
advice  from  the  metaphysical  standpoint  as  would  go 
far  towards  healing  the  condition  of  poverty.  In  sev- 
eral cases  the  metaphysical  work  done  by  the  agent 
brought  about  the  financial  healing  before  there  was 
time  for  the  Committee  to  extend  the  relief  which  was 
sought. 

On  page  IX  of  the  Preface  to  Miscellaneous  Writ- 
ings, Mrs.  Eddy  writes: 

"A  certain  apothegm  of  a  Talmudical  philosopher  suits  my 
sense  of  doing  good.  It  reads  thus :  'The  noblest  charity  is  to 
prevent  a  man  from  accepting  charity ;  and  the  best  alms  are 
to  show  and  to  enable  a  man  to  dispense  with  alms.'  " 

This  "sense  of  doing  good"  has  been  held  as  the  ideal 
in  distributing  the  War  Relief  Fund,  and  there  has 
been  ample  proof  of  the  wisdom  and  fruitfulness  of 
such  a  method.  In  one  instance  the  small  payment  of 
ten  shillings  was  made  to  a  man  who  had  been  dis- 
charged from  the  army  as  incurable.  He  was  unable 
to  work,  and  his  wife  was  ill.  Christian  Science  treat- 
ment was  given  and  within  a  week,  the  man  was  com- 
pletely healed  and  able  to  take  up  an  excellent  posi- 
tion. 

Relief  was  given  to  a  Belgian  refugee  and  her  sick 
husband.  The  woman  was  a  munition  worker  during 

34 


u 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

the  war,  but  after  the  factory  closed  she  was  out  of 
work  for  some  time.  When  the  unemployment  pay 
came  to  an  end,  she  was  without  means  of  supply 
while  awaiting  repatriation,  and  owing  to  her  hus- 
band's continued  illness,  she  was  the  sole  breadwinner. 
On  hearing  of  the  case  an  allowance  was  at  once  made 
from  the  War  Relief  Fund  for  the  necessary  period. 
A  Christian  Scientist  visited  the  husband  on  behalf  of 
the  Committee  and  had  several  good  talks  with  him, 
which  resulted  in  a  great  improvement  in  his  physical 
condition.  Within  a  short  time  the  arrangements  for 
repatriation  were  completed  and  the  couple  returned 
to  Belgium.  A  message  has  been  received  announcing 
their  safe  and  happy  arrival  at  home,  and  saying  that 
the  husband  is  now  well. 

An  elderly  woman  of  seventy-three  years,  who  was 
in  great  poverty,  received  help,  and  through  this  was 
introduced  to  the  subject  of  Christian  Science.  She 
told  the  practitioner  who  called  on  her  that  her  only 
son  had  been  killed  in  France,  and  that  she  had  prayed 
both  day  and  night  to  God  to  heal  her  broken  heart. 
As  she  could  not  read,  the  textbook,  which  she  now 
loves,  was  read  aloud  to  her,  and  she  recently  re- 
marked that  "no  bottle  of  medicine  could  touch  the 
heart  as  that  black  book  does.  It  has  healed  my  broken 
one,  and  made  me  a  better  woman." 

HOLLAND 

It  was  to  hospitable  little  Holland  that  many  peo- 
ple, forced  to  become  refugees  through  the  war,  fled 
for  safety  and  shelter.  There  were  consequently  many 
calls  upon  the  War  Relief  Fund  of  The  Mother 
Church  coming  from  persons  of  various  nationalities. 

35 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

The  fund  was  administered  in  Holland  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  Publication  for  that  country,  and  in  one  of 
the  reports  we  read : 

"We  are  so  grateful  for  the  help  the  Christian  Scientists 
in  America  are  giving  us.  I  am  sure  each  of  them  would  feel 
amply  rewarded  if  he  could  hear  the  expressions  of  gratitude 
of  the  people  we  have  been  able  to  help  in  Holland.  And  to 
think  that  this  blessed  work  is  going  on  in  many  other  coun- 
tries is  indeed  glorious !" 

A  Dutch  lady  writes : 

"What  a  relief  and  what  a  splendid  gift  I  received  from 
the  War  Relief  Fund.  Not  only  my  immediate  needs  are  all 
supplied,  but  the  principal  thing  is  that  I  received  a  tangible 
proof  of  God's  love  and  know  from  experience  that  He  never 
leaves  those  who  trust  in  Him." 

Says  a  student: 

"I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  200  florins  from  the 
War  Relief  Fund.  I  am  very  grateful  to  the  Committee  that 
makes  it  possible  for  me  in  this  way  to  provide  for  my  future, 
and  it  certainly  will  be  a  stimulus  to  do  all  I  can  to  pass  the 
examination  successfully." 

From  the  same  student  somewhat  later : 

"You  surely  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  I  have  success- 
fully passed  the  examination.  As  it  was  through  your  medium 
that  I  received  the  help  from  the  Christian  Science  War 
Relief  Fund  which  made  it  possible  to  continue  my  study  I 
want  to  thank  you  once  more." 

An  Englishman  writes  from  The  Hague : 

"I  am  most  happy  to  inform  you  that  my  family  came 
through  from  Belgium  last  week. 

"My  wife  joins  me  in  thanking  you  and  the  other  members 
of  the  Committee  most  sincerely  for  the  munificent  manner 

36 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

in  which  you  came  forward  to  our  assistance  in  our  trouble. 
We  shall  never  forget  the  sympathy  and  kindness  we  have 
experienced  in  this  hospitable  country  and  shall  always  re- 
member with  gratitude  those  to  whom  we  are  so  much  indebted 
for  bringing  an  end  to  our  long  separation. 

"This  loan  shall  be  amongst  the  first  that  will  have  my 
attention  as  soon  as  I  am  in  a  position  to  repay  same." 

Another  whose  burden  was  lightened  writes: 

"Thank  you  so  much  for  the  help  received,  by  means  of 
which  we  were  able  to  redeem  our  belongings  from  the  pawn- 
broker and  to  buy  some  warm  clothes  for  my  husband.  We 
have  passed  through  great  poverty  as  my  husband  was  with- 
out work  for  a  long  time  and  we  were  forced  to  sell  much  of 
our  furniture.  To  our  delight  he  has  just  found  work,  too. 
Will  you  please  thank  the  Christian  Scientists  for  the  help 
God  inspired  them  to  give  us?" 

From  a  society  for  the  relief  of  interned  soldiers 
came  the  following: 

"In  the  name  of  'L'CEuvre  de  I'lnterne'  we  thank  you 
heartily  for  the  splendid  gift  of  500  florins  which  you  sent 
to  our  Commander,  General  J.,  from  the  War  Relief  Fund 
of  The  First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist,  Boston,  Mass." 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  cases  which  might  be 
cited  to  show  that  The  Mother  Church  Fund  was  the 
means  of  bringing  relief,  comfort  and  solace  to  those 
on  whom  war  had  cast  its  shadow  in  Holland. 


SWITZERLAND 

In  German-speaking  Switzerland  the  headquarters 
of  the  War  Relief  Fund  were  at  Zurich,  in  French- 
speaking  Switzerland  at  Geneva.    Like  Holland,  the 

37 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

country  was  filled  to  overflowing  with  those  who 
sought  a  refuge  from  the  storm  of  war  and  among 
them  were  many  to  whom  the  fund  of  The  Mother 
Church  came,  bringing  peace  where  there  had  been 
anxiety,  health  where  there  had  been  sickness,  and 
trust  where  there  had  been  only  the  blank  outlook  of 
utter  hopelessness  and  despair. 

What  joy  it  brings  to  the  hearts  of  all  who  have 
helped  make  the  fund  possible  to  hear  the  following 
story  of  one  whom  the  Committee  in  Zurich  was  able 
to  aid: 

"I  became  acquainted  with  a  woman  who  was  bending  under 
her  load  of  troubles.  She  was  in  debt  and  lacked  even  the 
absolute  necessities,  her  husband  being  at  the  frontier.  (He 
had  been  obliged  to  do  service  three  times  in  the  interval  of 
one  year.)  She  received  only  a  small  subsidy  for  herself  and 
her  child,  just  enough  not  to  perish  from  starvation. 

"Before  the  war  her  husband  had  a  small  business  and  the 
wife  kept  a  boarding  house.  They  lived  comfortably  until 
1914  when  the  war  started;  then  misery  began.  The  husband's 
business  failed  entirely;  the  boarders  left  to  serve  under  the 
flag  and  thus  a  hard  time  began  for  the  wife.  When  her  hus- 
band left  for  the  frontier  she  was  deprived  of  his  support. 
The  state  of  fear  in  which  she  found  herself  over  the  rent 
and  the  debts  to  be  paid  resulted  in  illness  and  she  had  to 
undergo  two  operations  for  goiter.  This  woman  became  so 
irritable  and  embittered  that  she  made  the  home  for  her  child 
a  veritable  hell.  Then  error  held  full  sway. 

"I  felt  attracted  toward  the  child,  who  was  about  thirteen 
at  that  time,  and  was  very  much  impressed  by  the  confidence 
she  had  in  God,  that  they  would  be  delivered  from  their  moral 
and  material  misery.  I  then  realized  that  here  was  an  oppor- 
tunity to  apply  the  truth  of  Christian  Science  and  by  and  by 
I  began  to  see  results  with  the  child.  Her  disposition  became 
greatly  changed  so  that  the  mother  was  astonished.  Later, 

38 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

when  the  opportunity  occurred  I  approached  the  mother,  and 
with  her  also,  after  a  time,  the  inharmonious  conditions  began 
to  give  place  to  harmony ;  slowly  a  great  transformation  took 
place.  There  was,  however,  the  cloud  of  her  indebtedness 
hanging  over  her.  I  then  asked  for  aid  on  her  behalf  from  the 
War  Relief  Committee  in  Zurich.  The  sum  of  300  francs  was 
given  her  to  pay  off  the  most  urgent  debts. 

"To  the  poor  woman  this  was  a  fortune  falling  from 
heaven.  She  could  never  have  dreamed  of  such  a  solution. 
This  money,  given  to  her  by  Love,  was  the  beginning  of  a  new 
life.  The  oppressing  fears  were  lifted,  and  one  can  truth- 
fully say  that  blessings  were  showered  upon  the  family. 
The  child  was  given  shoes,  clothing,  hats  and  all  necessary 
things.  The  husband  being,  up  to  that  time,  in  a  trying  and 
poorly  paid  position  in  the  army,  was  transferred  without 
any  special  effort  to  a  higher  grade.  His  officer  showed  so 
much  interest  in  him  that  he  gave  him  100  francs  to  send  to 
his  family,  and  when  at  the  end  of  his  term  of  service,  the 
supplies  of  the  company  were  sold,  he  received  enough  to 
provide  for  himself  for  some  time. 

"The  wife  herself  is  completely  transformed.  She  is  very 
happy  to  have  regained  her  strength  so  that  now  she  is  able 
to  do  her  washing  and  housework.  She  is  freed  from  her 
asthmatic  trouble  so  that  there  is  no  need  of  a  further  opera- 
tion, and  often  I  have  the  pleasure  of  looking  in  her  face,  now 
full  of  contentment,  and  of  hearing  her  say:  'How  happy  I 
am !  How  happy  I  am !  What  would  have  become  of  us  if  you 
had  not  told  us  about  Christian  Science !'  " 

Another  recipient  of  help  from  the  Zurich  Com- 
mittee writes : 

"At  this  time  I  would  like  to  express  my  gratitude  to  the 
Christian  Scientists  for  all  the  love  and  kindness  shown  to 
their  European  brothers  by  helping  them  financially.  I  am 
one  of  those  who  have  been  helped  twice  by  the  local  Commit- 
tee, having  received  50  francs  each  time.  In  the  meantime, 

39 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

divine  Love  has  provided  for  me  so  that  for  the  present  I 
need  no  help.  I  am  very  grateful  to  have  been  led  to  Christian 
Science  and  it  is  my  sincere  desire  to  express  in  my  daily  life 
the  teachings  of  Christian  Science." 

"Kind  deeds  of  peace  and  love  betray 
Where'er  the  stream  has  found  its  way," 

says  one  of  our  hymns  and  the  excerpts  which  follow 
surely  furnish  illuminating  proof  of  this  fact. 

"Just  a  short  note  to  inform  you  that  we  have  duly  re- 
ceived the  money  and  the  groceries,  and  to  express  our  deep- 
est thanks  for  the  gift.  May  God  bless  you.  I  want  to  tell 
you  how  glad  I  am  for  having  been  led  to  Christian  Science, 
for  I  now  have  much  more  faith  in  God  than  before.  I  also 
greatly  enjoy  the  Christian  Science  literature,  and  as  soon 
as  my  husband  has  a  position  we  will  subscribe  ourselves. 
Again,  our  heartfelt  thanks  to  all  the  givers." 

"Your  relief  money  has  helped  me  out  of  many  a  strait 
in  these  difficult  times.  How  often  has  want  appeared  at  my 
door  before  I  received  your  present.  God  has  helped  me 
again.  He  does  not  forsake  us.  Since  I  have  turned  to  Chris- 
tian Science  I  have  peace  and  quiet.  Every  day  I  see  the 
good,  for  which  I  am  thankful  to  God.  And  I  am  also  thank- 
ful that  He  led  me  to  Christian  Science.  Our  Leader,  Mrs. 
Eddy,  must  have  been  a  pious  and  God-fearing  woman,  whom 
God  had  appointed  to  bring,  through  her  great  love,  bless- 
ings and  peace  to  so  many  people.  What  a  noble  and  rich 
heritage  she  has  left  us !" 

"I  consider  it  my  duty  to  convey  to  you  my  sincerest 
thanks  for  the  loving  gifts  from  The  Mother  Church  in 
Boston  extended  to  me  through  your  Relief  Committee.  I 
have  also  read  a  great  deal  in  Dcr  Herold  and  am  pleased  to 
say  that  my  condition  shows  a  marked  improvement." 

40 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

The  Chairman  of  the  Zurich  Committee  writes : 

"I  am  sure  our  American  friends  who  contributed  to  the 
fund  will  be  pleased  that  they  have  been  able  to  help  these 
fellow  men  (English  prisoners  of  war)  with  some  small  gifts. 
Some  of  them  have  been  prisoners  since  August,  1914.  We 
bought  handkerchiefs  and  washing  gloves,  things  very  much 
needed  by  them,  put  one  or  two  of  them  in  a  parcel  and 
added  to  each  an  English  pamphlet,  by  choosing  some  with  a 
neutral  title,  like,  for  instance,  'Upward  Footsteps,'  and 
handed  it  to  them  from  the  platform  with  a  hundred  Monitors. 
The  latter  we  are  sending  to  them  now  regularly  and  receive 
letters  of  appreciation.  In  a  similar  way  we  are  working  with 
the  French  and  German  prisoners." 

A  sheaf  of  grateful  letters  sent  to  the  War  Relief 
Committee  at  Geneva  give  some  evidence  of  the  har- 
vest to  be  garnered  in  that  fruitful  field. 

"I  should  like  to  express  my  gratitude  towards  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  War  Relief  Fund  and  to  all  those  who  are 
generously  contributing  to  this  cause,  which  came  to  our  aid 
in  a  moment  of  need.  My  husband  has  been  earning  very  little 
during  the  four  years  of  war.  We  have  had  the  great  privi- 
lege of  becoming  acquainted  with  Christian  Science  which  is 
teaching  us  that  God  is  Love  and  the  source  of  all  that  is 
good.  With  this  knowledge  we  have  been  wonderfully  pre- 
served from  all  evil  and  our  condition  has  changed  and 
improved.  Thanks  to  this  teaching  we  understand  God  better 
and  are  very  grateful  for  this." 

"Will  you  thank  the  Christian  Science  Committee  for  all 
the  good  that  we  have  received  spiritually  and  financially? 
Science  has  revealed  to  us  a  God  to  whom  we  can  turn  at  all 
times  and  never  in  vain.  ...  I  do  not  know  what  we  would 
have  done  without  this  help,  as  my  mother  has  been  bed- 
ridden since  1914,  which  obliges  me  to  work  at  home  so  that 
I  can  earn  very  little." 

41 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"I  want  to  express  to  you  and  the  War  Relief  Fund  my 
profound  gratitude  for  the  help  you  extended  to  me  in  my 
distress.  This  aid  has  opened  to  me  a  new  spiritual  life  which 
I  wish  to  understand  better  and  to  follow.  Thank  you  with  all 
my  heart  for  having  shown  me  this  life-giving  truth." 

"It  is  with  a  heart  full  of  gratitude  that  I  offer  my  thanks 
to  you  in  this  letter.  ...  I  dare  not  think  what  would  have 
become  of  me  during  these  hard  times  with  my  poor  means  of 
subsistence.  .  .  .  On  Saturday  you  brought  me  the  sum  of 
150  francs  from  your  fund  to  make  provision  of  coal  for  the 
winter.  .  .  .  Thanks  also  for  Le  Heraut  and  above  all, 
thanks  for  the  textbook  by  Mrs.  Eddy.  This  book  is  truly 
spiritual  food  for  all  my  family." 

"The  aid  which  I  particularly  have  received  from  the  War 
Relief  Committee  has  been  a  great  help  and  encouragement  to 
me  during  the  trying  period  we  have  been  passing  through. 
Eighteen  months  ago  I  was  utterly  ignorant  of  Christian 
Science.  I  owe  to  it  my  physical  and  moral  restoration.  It 
gave  me  health  and  strength  on  my  hospital  bed  where  death 
awaited  me  in  August,  1916.  Through  it  I  now  desire  to  live. 
It  is  sustaining  me  today  in  every  difficult  problem. 

"Therefore,  it  is  with  all  my  heart  that  I  desire  to  con- 
tribute to  this  work  which  has  become  dear  to  me  through 
having  received  so  many  of  its  benefits." 

ITALY 

It  was  largely  through  the  initiative  of  Christian 
Scientists  in  Florence  that  a  War  Relief  Committee 
was  organized  in  Italy  after  the  entry  of  that  country 
into  the  world  struggle. 

The  Christian  Science  Society  of  Florence  holds  its 
services  and  maintains  a  Reading  Room  in  a  substan- 
tial building  on  the  Via  Delia  Spada  just  across  the 
street  from  the  famous  Strozzi  palace.  On  the  third 

42 


ti 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

floor  were  the  headquarters  for  the  Committee  admin- 
istering the  War  Relief  Fund  for  Italy.  The  well- 
organized  group  of  Christian  Scientists  carefully 
investigated  hundreds  of  cases  of  destitution  and 
misery  in  Rome,  Florence,  Genoa,  Turin,  Sienna  and 
Sarzana  and  distributed  money  and  comforts  with 
much  care  and  discrimination.  On  a  single  afternoon 
at  headquarters  in  Florence  as  many  as  fifty  cases 
were  helped,  each  one  of  which  had  been  the  subject 
of  careful  consideration  and  investigation. 

A  glimpse  of  the  tireless  group  that  eagerly  awaited 
their  turn  outside  the  disbursing  office  in  Florence, 
through  long  hours  on  one  hot  September  afternoon 
when  a  visitor  was  present,  would  have  satisfied 
every  contributor  to  the  fund  that  the  help  was 
needed  in  Italy.  Old  men  and  women,  young  soldiers' 
widows  with  tiny  babes,  whose  pensions,  pitifully 
meager  at  the  best,  had  not  even  as  yet  been  allotted, 
discharged  soldiers  who  had  contracted  diseases  in  the 
army,  mothers  of  large  families  seeking  even  trifling 
aid,  were  each  in  turn  seen  and  comforted  and  sent 
away  rejoicing,  giving  voluble  expressions  of  grati- 
tude. 

Knowing  the  characteristics  of  the  Italian  people, 
and  desiring,  too,  to  make  The  Mother  Church  Fund 
furnish  true  aid,  the  Committee  purchased  quantities 
of  wool  which  it  distributed  to  the  poor  to  be  knitted 
into  socks  and  paid  one  lira  a  pair  to  the  knitter.  The 
socks  were  then  sent  to  the  soldiers  of  the  Italian  army 
and  elicited  among  others  the  following  letter: 

"The  Officers  of  the  Edolo  Battalion  5th  Alpines,  in  the  name 
of  the  brave  Alpines. 
"We  heartily  thank  you  for  the  most  useful  and  most 

48 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

welcome  twenty-five  pairs  of  socks,  mountain  hoods,  and  knee 
protectors.  The  good  that  you  kind  ladies  do  is  inestimable. 

"When  our  soldiers  feel  that  they  are  thought  of  by  those 
at  home,  sacrifice  becomes  nothing  to  them  and  danger  is 
faced  with  strong  and  calm  hearts." 

In  another  instance  the  Committee  purchased  a 
sewing  machine  for  some  women  refugees,  who  wrote : 

"We  refugees  of  Sandona  di  Piave,  Venezia,  having  been 
forced  to  give  up  our  dear  land  to  the  barbarous  enemy,  and 
finding  ourselves  in  need,  feel  it  is  our  duty  to  extend  to  this 
honorable  Committee  our  hearty  thanks,  having  received 
money  to  buy  a  sewing  machine  with  which  to  earn  our  living. 

"Thanking  once  more  this  honorable  Committee  for  the 
good  and  comfortable  position  in  which  they  have  put  us,  we 
remain,  yours  ever  gratefully." 

Again  it  was  an  Italian  officer  who  said : 

"In  my  name  and  in  the  name  of  my  soldiers,  I  send  to  you 
Madam,  and  to  the  Christian  Science  Society,  our  heartiest 
thanks  for  what  you  have  so  generously  sent  to  my  soldiers. 

"I  say  generously  because  the  woolen  underwear  which  was 
in  abundance  was  so  gratefully  accepted.  The  games,  too, 
were  a  kind  thought,  so  that  the  soldiers,  when  the  enemy  per- 
mit, may  be  distracted  and  pass  the  long  hours  in  the  trenches 
less  monotonously.  .  .  . 

"With  great  faith  in  victory — hurrah  for  the  Allies, 
hurrah  for  America." 

Surely  the  fund  did  a  good  work  when  it  helped 
this  little  Italian  schoolboy,  who  wrote : 

"I  can't  help  sending  you  a  few  words  to  thank  you  for 
the  good  you  have  done  for  me  and  my  dear  mother.  I  thank 
you  for  the  shoes,  for  the  house  rent,  and  for  paying  for  my 
schooling.  I  promise  you  to  study  in  order  to  be  a  comfort 
to  my  poor  parents.  Forgive  my  bad  writing  and  with 
respects,  yours  very  truly." 

44 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

The  minister  of  an  Evangelical  Church  on  the  island 
of  Elba  was  sent  a  sum  of  money  by  the  Committee  to 
be  used  among  the  needy  members  of  his  congrega- 
tion. Of  two  families  who  were  helped  through  the 
fund  he  writes : 

"In  closing  this  letter  of  gratitude  allow  me  to  refer  to 
some  blessings  that  have  come  to  two  of  the  above-mentioned 
families.  A  little  grandson  of  C.  fell  ill  and  the  doctor  pro- 
nounced it  a  case  of  typhoid  fever.  The  child  is  a  pupil  in  the 
fourth  class  of  the  Evangelical  School.  When  I  went  to  see 
him,  I  found  all  the  family  in  the  utmost  despair  thinking  the 
child  was  as  good  as  dead.  I  spoke  boldly  of  the  power  of 
faith  and  said  how  absurd  it  was  to  think  a  young  boy  should 
have  to  die.  I  called  to  mind  the  miracles  of  Jesus  and  assured 
them  the  child  would  not  die.  Thanks  be  to  God,  he  recovered. 

"In  the  family  P.,  the  head  of  the  house,  a  soldier  at  the 
front,  was  wounded  in  the  body  by  a  shell.  His  sisters  had  not 
the  courage  to  tell  their  old  mother,  though  all  the  town  knew 
about  it.  I  went  to  tell  her  so  that  her  faith  might  be  awak- 
ened before  she  heard  the  sad  news.  We  all  realized  the  young 
man  would  be  saved.  God  has  surely  restored  him  to  life.  Now 
he  is  again  at  the  front  and  is  expected  home  for  the  winter 
leave. 

"The  light  of  faith  and  of  life  has  been  lacking  in  the 
world.  Hence  war  and  death.  But  Life  triumphs  over  death." 

It  is  to  be  noted  that  the  Italian  woman,  whose 
grateful  letter  follows,  is  anxious  to  learn  English  so 
that  she  may  read  about  Christian  Science. 

"I  feel  very  sorry  that  I  cannot  speak  and  understand 
English.  However,  I  hope  to  learn  some  day  and  with  the 
language  I  shall  learn  so  many  good  things  which  I  need. 
My  husband  tries  to  study  English  in  order  to  understand 
the  treasures  contained  in  those  little  books  that  you  gave 
him.  They  are  his  companions  and  consolation  in  his  forced 
and  temporary  exile.  (He  is  a  soldier.)   .  .  .  Christian  Sci- 

45 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ence  seems  part  of  his  life.  And  here,  Signora,  allow  me  to 
thank  you  heartily  for  the  help  given  to  me  in  money,  rent 
and  clothing.  I  wish  I  could  thank  all  the  Americans  who  have 
liberated  my  children,  my  husband  and  myself  from  the  tre- 
mendous weight  of  woe  which  was  upon  us. 

"All  these  troubles  are  forgotten,  thanks  to  you,  and  to 
the  good  friends,  I  dare  say  brothers,  Scientists  of  the  world. 
Accept,  Signora,  my  feelings  of  gratitude  and  reverence." 

FRANCE 

The  War  Relief  Fund  of  The  Mother  Church  as 
established  in  the  fall  of  1914,  was  primarily  intended 
to  assist  Christian  Scientists  and  to  help  them  over  a 
period  of  temporary  financial  stress  until  they  should 
again  be  able  to  help  themselves.  As  the  love  which 
prompted  this  offer  of  assistance  was  the  real  sub- 
stance of  the  aid  extended,  it  cast  out  the  fear  of  those 
in  need.  Consequently  Christian  Scientists  were,  in 
most  cases,  soon  able  to  dispense  with  all  financial  aid 
from  the  fund,  hence  in  the  Sentinel  of  December  5, 
1914,  the  Treasurer  of  The  Mother  Church  announced 
that  sufficient  money  was  then  in  hand  to  meet  the 
needs  of  Christian  Scientists,  at  the  same  time  asking 
for  further  contributions  for  the  relief  of  non- Scien- 
tists who  were  suffering  from  the  privations  entailed 
by  the  war. 

In  France  a  Committee  had  been  organized  jointly 
from  the  two  churches  in  Paris  for  the  administration 
of  "The  Mother  Church  Relief  Fund."  It  now  joy- 
ously accepted  the  privilege  of  extending  help  to  non- 
Scientists  as  well  as  to  Scientists.  It  soon  became  evi- 
dent, however,  that  to  let  it  be  generally  known  that 
such  a  fund  existed  would  bring  an  overwhelming 
number  of  appeals  for  assistance,  for  at  this  time  the 

46 


On  the  porch  at  Camp  Jackson 


Interior  of  House,  Camp  Jackson,  South  Carolina 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

soldiers'  wives  in  France  were  receiving  only  twenty- 
five  cents  a  day  for  adults  and  ten  cents  for  each  child, 
and  this  class  of  the  needy  would  very  soon  have  swal- 
lowed up  the  fund.  Therefore,  the  Committee  endeav- 
ored to  find  out  the  miseres  cachees,  those  who  had 
no  means  whatever  and  who  were  often  of  the  edu- 
cated classes  whose  natural  delicacy  debarred  them 
from  making  their  needs  known. 

Scores  of  interesting  cases  could  be  cited,  where  the 
fund  came  to  the  assistance  of  persons  in  distress  and 
helped  them  over  a  trying  period.  Many  artists  who 
found  themselves  suddenly  stranded  were  aided.  A 
well-known  Paris  artist  brought  to  the  attention  of 
the  Committee  a  number  of  such  persons  whose 
condition  was  really  pitiable.  Two  Americans,  for 
instance,  were  enabled  to  return  to  their  home  when 
they  found  themselves  without  means  of  livelihood  in 
France.  Another  who  was  in  the  depths  of  discourage- 
ment and  poverty  was  given  assistance  from  the  fund, 
held  an  exhibition  of  his  pictures  and  found  a  ready 
sale  for  his  work  from  that  time  on. 

To  teachers,  students  and  professors  who  were  de- 
prived of  their  employment  by  the  outbreak  of  the 
war  much  needed  help  was  given. 

Cooperating  with  a  Protestant  clergyman  the  Com- 
mittee was  able  to  extend  aid  to  a  number  of  Protes- 
tant families  who  were  in  dire  need. 

A  little  Paris  street  urchin  who  was  trying  to  sup- 
port a  younger  sister,  and  who  was  literally  without  a 
cent,  was  taken  in  overnight  by  one  member  of  the 
Committee,  aided  financially  by  the  fund  and  helped 
to  secure  a  position. 

An  American  nurse  who  had  married  a  French 

47 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

soldier  was  delighted  by  the  complete  layette  provided 
for  her  baby  by  the  War  Relief  Fund. 

A  young  Jewish  woman  from  Algiers,  with  a  blind 
husband  and  a  large  family  of  children,  was  given 
much  needed  assistance. 

Some  Russian  ladies  whose  home  in  Rheims  had 
been  destroyed  by  bombardment,  were  most  grateful 
for  financial  help. 

A  Finn  whose  demands  upon  the  fund  were  exorbi- 
tant and  unreasonable,  was  healed  and  later  frankly 
acknowledged  the  help  received  and  secured  a  good 
position.  Another  Finn  was  given  enough  money  to 
take  him  to  Switzerland,  where  he  worked  among  the 
prisoners  of  war. 

An  Austrian  in  an  internment  camp  wrote  to  the 
Committee  for  a  copy  of  Science  and  Health  in  the 
German  translation.  One  was  sent  him  through  the 
fund  and  when  last  heard  from  he  was  conducting 
Christian  Science  services  in  that  camp. 

An  old  German  couple  who  loved  France  and  had 
made  it  their  home  for  some  thirty  years,  were  recom- 
mended to  the  Committee  as  worthy  of  assistance. 
Financial  aid  was  given  them  and  they  both  became 
interested  in  Christian  Science  and  were  loaned  a 
copy  of  the  textbook.  The  Committee  gave  them  small 
sums  to  buy  little  additional  necessities  and  they  were 
later  returned  to  Germany.  Such  was  their  love  for 
Christian  Science  that  they  said  their  only  joy  would 
be  to  find  some  Scientists  in  Germany.  Through  the 
Red  Cross  they  sent  word  that  they  had  found  friends 
among  the  Scientists  who  were  caring  for  them. 

One  Spanish  family  looked  up  by  the  Committee 
were  found  literally  starving;  they  had  no  bedding, 

48 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

no  furniture,  no  fire,  though  the  weather  was  severe, 
and  but  one  broken  cup.  The  husband  was  a  copper- 
plate engraver  before  the  war  and  had  been  brought 
to  this  state  of  destitution  because  he  had  had  no  work. 
His  family  was  helped  until  a  position  was  secured 
for  him. 

One  might  mention  also  cases  of  Poles,  Swedes, 
Italians  and  Armenians  who  had  help  from  the  fund 
which  indeed  literally  fulfilled  the  words  on  page  13 
of  Science  and  Health,  "Love  is  impartial  and  univer- 
sal in  its  adaptation  and  bestowals." 

The  sculptress  of  whom  mention  was  previously 
made  was  a  Christian  Scientist.  Finding  that  there 
was  no  market  for  the  products  of  her  art,  she  turned 
her  energy  to  toy  making.  With  some  slight  assistance 
from  the  fund,  she  began  to  make  dolls.  Their  origi- 
nality proved  so  successful  and  attractive  that  they 
soon  made  a  place  for  themselves  in  the  large  shops  in 
Paris  as  well  as  abroad.  The  demand  grew  so  rapidly 
that  the  sculptress  was  forced  to  employ  someone  to 
assist  her  and  was  eventually  able  to  give  work  to  as 
many  as  eleven  women.  Thus  did  the  seed  sown  on 
good  soil  spring  up  and  bring  forth  fruit  an  hundred- 
fold. 

In  many  cases  the  desire  was  expressed  to  know 
something  of  that  which  was  affording  such  help  and 
eventually  some  became  earnest  students  of  Christian 
Science. 

The  work  was  carried  on  along  these  lines,  helping 
individuals  of  all  nationalities  and  of  all  sects  and 
denominations,  until  the  beginning  of  1917  when  it 
was  found  that  the  fund  could  be  made  to  flow 
through  broader  channels  so  as  to  help  in  relieving 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

the  distress  in  the  regions  of  France  which  had  been 
invaded  and  which  were  being  gradually  liberated  by 
the  advance  of  the  Allies. 

During  the  year  of  1917,  ninety-two  individual 
cases,  of  which  thirty-six  were  Christian  Scientists, 
were  helped  and  it  was  decided  to  extend  help  also  to 
the  liberated  districts  in  which  the  returning  inhabi- 
tants were  in  the  utmost  need.  The  circular  letter 
which  follows  was  sent  to  the  authorities  of  these 
regions, 

"THE  MOTHER  CHURCH  WAR  RELIEF  FUND 

"(The  First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist,  Boston, 

Massachusetts) 

"From  the  Office  of  the  Paris  Committee 

"To  the  Mayor : 

"We  have  the  honor  of  calling  to  your  attention  a  fund 
known  as  'The  Mother  Church  War  Relief  Fund,'  created 
by  the  gifts  of  Christian  Scientists  in  the  United  States  and 
other  parts  of  the  world  for  the  purpose  of  helping  war  suf- 
ferers. Contributions  already  made  by  Christian  Scientists 
to  this  Fund  exceed  a  million  and  a  half  francs. 

"The  Paris  Committee  responsible  for  the  distribution  of 
that  portion  of  the  fund  allotted  to  France  has  been  estab- 
lished since  the  early  months  of  the  war  and  has  already  dis- 
tributed a  substantial  sum  in  relieving  suffering  in  this  coun- 
try. 

"The  use  of  the  fund  is  not  confined  to  any  particular 
sect  but  extends  to  all  sufferers  regardless  of  religion  or 
other  distinction  and  the  Paris  Committee  would  be  glad  to 
extend  its  benefits  to  sufferers  in  your  Commune  if  such  help 
would  be  acceptable. 

"As  access  to  your  Commune  by  civilians  is  practically 
impossible,  we  are  not  in  a  position  to  get  in  touch  with  the 

50 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

cases  most  worthy  of  help  as  we  have  elsewhere.  The  Commit- 
tee would  therefore  be  very  glad  to  consider  applications 
sent  to  them,  through  you  or  any  other  authority,  with  re- 
gard to  individual  cases  needing  assistance.  Applications  may 
also  be  sent  through  any  local  Committee  or  organization 
that  is  working  to  help  war  sufferers  in  your  Commune.  Each 
application  should  be  accompanied  by  a  few  details  as  to  the 
present  financial  circumstances  and  need. 

"May  I  add  that  the  details  of  any  application  that  you 
may  desire  to  submit  to  us  will  be  treated  confidentially  and 
considered  in  the  most  kindly  spirit. 

"We  beg  to  remain, 

"Very  sincerely  yours, 

"Peesident  of  the  Committee." 

This  letter  was  sent  to  1.59  Prefects,  Senators, 
Deputies  and  Mayors  in  the  departments  of  the  Pas 
de  Calais,  Nord,  Somme,  Oise,  Aisne  and  Marne  and 
called  forth  a  very  general  and  enthusiastic  response. 
At  the  request  of  the  Deputy  of  St.  Quentin  members 
of  our  Committee  were  able  to  visit  some  portions  of 
the  devastated  districts  of  the  Aisne  in  order  to  have 
some  adequate  concept  of  the  havoc  wrought  and  of 
the  present  need  of  the  inhabitants.  The  condition  of 
one  village  will  give  a  specific  idea  of  what  they  found. 
Beauvois  had  before  the  war  a  population  of  between 
7000  and  8000  people.  An  expert's  examination 
showed  that  in  the  whole  town  there  were  only  twelve 
buildings  capable  of  being  repaired.  The  result  was 
that  there  was  no  civil  population  left.  As  soon,  how- 
ever, as  they  were  repatriated  the  inhabitants  of  these 
desolate  villages  would  make  their  way  back  to  what 
was  formerly  their  home  and  the  Mayors  and  Depu- 
ties would  endeavor  to  find  means  to  provide  them 
with  shelter  and  food. 

51 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

The  Mayor  of  Moy,  for  example,  applied  to  the 
Committee  to  help  twenty-five  necessitous  cases  from 
his  village.  The  whole  village  had.  been  razed  to  the 
ground  and  the  inhabitants  were  being  repatriated  by 
way  of  Switzerland.  There  was  no  one  to  help  them  ex- 
cept the  Mayor.  He  had  exhausted  all  of  his  personal 
resources,  and  came  to  our  Committee  at  a  moment 
when  he  was  in  despair  at  not  being  able  to  meet  the 
very  pressing  need  of  a  number  of  families.  The  Com- 
mittee aided  the  twenty-five  families  with  sums  aver- 
aging from  50  to  100  francs  ($10  to  $20)  per  family. 
This  was  in  August,  1917,  and  similar  help  was  given 
in  December  of  that  year. 

Another  particularly  interesting  case  was  that  pre- 
sented to  the  Committee  by  the  Mayor  of  Orchies, 
Departement  du  Nord. 

"Dear  Sir: 

"I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  favor  of  July  14. 
I  am  tremendously  grateful  for  the  interest  you  are  kind 
enough  to  take  in  my  unfortunate  fellow  citizens.  Our  city, 
almost  completely  burned  by  the  Germans  on  September  25, 
1914,  is  still  in  their  hands. 

"I  correspond  at  present  with  450  soldiers,  125  prisoners 
and  350  civilians.  At  first  I  was  able  to  send  help  to  the 
mobilized  men  and  to  the  prisoners ;  but  the  modest  resources 
which  I  had  at  my  disposal  were  soon  exhausted  and  public 
charity  solicited  on  every  side,  could  do  no  more  for  my  poor 
citizens. 

"I  call  your  kind  attention  especially  to  the  Prisoners  of 
Orchies.  These  unfortunate  men  cannot  receive  anything  from 
their  families,  for  most  of  them  are  still  in  the  invaded  dis- 
tricts. The  prisoners,  therefore,  are  entirely  destitute  and  to 
my  great  regret,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  reply  to  their 
urgent  appeals. 

"This  is  why  I  should  be  very  grateful  to  you  if  you  could 

52 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

help  them  a  little.  If  you  wish  I  can  send  you  a  list  of  the 
prisoners. 

"I  alone  take  care  of  the  inhabitants  of  Orchies,  whether 
mobilized,  prisoners,  or  repatriated,  and  it  would  be  a  great 
relief  and  a  profound  satisfaction  to  me  if  their  condition 
could  be  somewhat  relieved. 

"Thanking  you  in  advance  for  whatever  you  may  be  kind 
enough  to  do  for  them,  and  in  this  hope,  I  beg  you  to  accept 
the  assurance  of  my  highest  esteem." 

The  answer  to  this  appeal  is  appended  as  it  shows 
the  method  adopted  by  the  Comite  Franpais  in  dealing 
with  such  cases. 

"Monsieur  le  Maire : 

"Our  Committee  has  received  your  letter  of  July  31,  in 
which  you  inform  us  of  the  needs  of  the  people  of  Orchies  and 
they  are  pleased  to  write  you  that  they  desire  to  divide  the 
sum  of  1500  francs  among  the  most  needy  cases. 

"Be  so  kind,  then,  as  to  send  the  names  and  present 
addresses  of  those  whose  needs  you  consider  the  most  urgent, 
adding  some  data  as  to  their  actual  condition,  and  please 
suggest  the  amount  you  think  advisable  to  give  in  each  case. 
As  soon  as  we  receive  this  list  we  shall  be  glad  to  send  the 
money  orders. 

"Very  sincerely  yours, 

"President  of  the  Committee." 

From  one  of  the  recipients  of  this  aid,  a  prisoner  of 
war,  came  the  following  note,  which  is  typical  of  many 

others. 

"Friedericksfeld,  December  2,  1917. 
"Mademoiselle : 

"I  have  received  the  money  order  for  12.50  francs  which 
you  had  the  kindness  to  send  me  at  the  request  of  the  Mayor 
of  Orchies.  This  money  will  be  most  useful  to  me  and  I  am 
very  grateful  to  have  it. 

"Sincerely  yours," 

53 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

During  a  hard  winter,  the  Committee  was  able  to 
provide  about  1200  refugee  children  in  Amiens  with 
warm  clothing  at  a  cost  of  25,000  francs,  and  it  also 
gave  substantial  grants  to  the  various  Foyers  du  Sol- 
dat  in  France.  These  Foyers  correspond  to  our  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  huts  and  have  been  of  immense  help  and 
comfort  to  the  French  Poilus  since  their  establish- 
ment. A  large  building  in  the  center  of  Amiens  had 
been  equipped  to  reeducate  mutilated  soldiers  and  fit 
them  to  earn  their  own  living.  It  was  found  that  it  cost 
800  francs  per  person  to  complete  this  education.  Our 
Committee  felt  it  right  to  encourage  this  work  by- 
taking  upon  itself  the  education  of  five  new  cases.  In 
addition,  money  to  supply  an  artificial  leg  was  sent  to 
a  young  mason,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  battle 
of  the  Marne.  He  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Germans, 
and  after  having  his  leg  amputated  was  sent  back  to 
France.  Here,  on  his  own  initiative,  he  studied  and 
attended  university  classes  and  qualified  as  a  public 
school  teacher. 

Hundreds  of  individuals  whose  names  were  sub- 
mitted to  our  Committee  through  their  Mayor  or  Pre- 
fect, or  through  some  relief  society,  received  aid. 
With  touching  gratitude  the  recipients  would  state  in 
their  letters  of  acknowledgment  that  the  money  had 
been  used  to  buy  shoes  for  children  who  had  been 
forced  to  go  barefoot ;  to  purchase  furniture  for  those 
who  had  been  sleeping  on  straw;  to  procure  a  woolen 
blanket  as  a  protection  against  the  rigors  of  winter; 
to  clothe  destitute  families ;  to  provide  comforts  for  a 
sick  mother;  to  send  a  package  to  a  father,  a  prisoner 
of  war  in  Germany;  to  replace  farming  implements 

54 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

destroyed  by  the  invader ;  to  eke  out  an  income  which 
was  supporting  ten  persons,  and  so  on  indefinitely. 

This  brings  us  in  our  story  to  the  eventful  year 
1918,  when  the  Paris  churches  asked  The  Mother 
Church  to  send  workers  to  meet  the  growing  number 
of  calls  for  help  from  the  Americans  who  were  com- 
ing overseas,  and  also  to  help  organize  more  efficient 
relief  in  the  terribly  desolated  and  devastated  districts 
of  France. 

Early  in  the  year  a  delegate  was  sent  over  by  The 
Mother  Church  to  investigate  conditions  and  to  make 
a  report  to  the  Directors  as  to  the  best  way  of  co- 
operating with  the  War  Relief  Committee  already 
operating  in  Paris,  in  order  to  help  both  the  American 
troops  and  the  refugees.  The  visit  of  this  representa- 
tive, accompanied  by  a  worker  who  remained  perma- 
nently in  France,  strengthened  and  helped  the  Paris 
workers  at  a  most  difficult  time.  Immediately  upon 
his  return  ten  workers  were  sent  to  France  by  the 
Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors  of  The  Mother 
Church.  They  arrived  in  Paris  during  one  of  the  most 
critical  periods  of  the  war,  when  the  city  was  being 
bombarded  by  day  by  "Big  Bertha"  and  by  night  by 
the  German  "Gothas,"  which  visited  the  city  as  often 
as  five  times  in  one  week.  The  Germans  were  also  ad- 
vancing so  rapidly  on  Paris  that  it  was  felt  that  some- 
thing should  be  done  at  once  to  enable  the  congrega- 
tions of  both  the  Paris  churches  to  leave  the  city  if  they 
so  desired. 

The  Manager  of  the  War  Relief  Committee  met 
the  Comite  Francois  and  they  discussed  the  question 
fully,  with  the  result  that  5000  francs  were  imme- 
diately advanced  to  each  church  to  be  used  by  the 

55 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

members  in  case  of  need,  which  money  was  to  be 
accounted  for  by  the  respective  members  of  the  Com- 
mittee. 

Some  forty  families  were  helped  by  this  fund  and 
it  was  indeed  a  very  vital  thing  to  them  to  be  able  to 
put  their  children  in  safety  outside  of  Paris  or  to  feel 
that  they  had  by  them  a  sum  of  money  sufficient  to 
cover  the  expense  of  leaving  Paris  if  it  became 
urgently  necessary  to  do  so.  In  not  a  few  cases  the 
people  who  had  been  granted  this  money  returned  the 
same  to  the  Committee  as  they  felt  so  certain  a  sense 
of  divine  protection  that  they  remained  in  Paris  in 
spite  of  seemingty  desperate  conditions. 

During  1918  some  100  individual  cases  were  helped, 
of  which  48  were  Scientists. 

The  coming  to  France  of  the  War  Relief  Workers 
opened  new  channels  by  which  help  could  be  extended 
to  war  sufferers.  These  workers  were  established  at 
Bordeaux,  Brest,  Tours,  St.  Nazaire,  Langres, 
Nevers,  Nantes,  Le  Mans  and  Romorantin,  and  all 
were  asked  to  send  particulars  to  the  Comite  Fran- 
pais  of  cases  needing  help. 

A  letter  to  the  Mayor  of  each  of  these  cities  setting 
forth  in  some  detail  the  objects  and  aims  of  the  fund 
and  the  work  already  accomplished  by  it,  was  deliv- 
ered by  our  representative  in  person,  together  with  a 
check  for  the  relief  of  war  sufferers  in  each  of  these 
districts.  The  amounts  delivered  to  the  various  agen- 
cies aggregated  40,000  francs. 

In  every  case  the  War  Relief  Worker  was  most 
courteously  received  by  the  Mayor  of  the  town.  In 
Le  Mans  particularly  our  Worker  reports: 

56 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

"The  Mayor  seemed  appreciative  and  keenly  sensitive  to 
the  relationship  established  between  his  office  and  this  Depot 
through  this  gift.  He  controlled  his  emotions  with  some  diffi- 
culty, his  eyes  filled  with  tears  and  his  feelings  seemed  to  be 
deeply  moved." 

Such  a  careful  survey  of  the  needs  of  the  town  was 
made  by  the  Mayor  and  so  much  good  work  was 
accomplished  that  the  Committee  felt  it  right  to  grant 
an  additional  2500  francs  to  this  Depot. 

That  the  motive  animating  our  relief  work  was 
understood  in  some  measure  is  evident  from  the  fol- 
lowing, which  appeared  in  a  newspaper  of  November 
10, 1918,  called  L'Aisne. 

"It  is  not  by  almsgiving  in  the  name  of  their  religion  so 
widely  spread  in  America,  that  they  seek  to  aid  the  victims 
of  the  war.  It  is  rather  by  placing  in  each  man's  hand  an 
instrument  by  which  he  can  overcome  evil  and  so  eventually 
efface  all  trace  of  calamity,  including  war. 

"Is  there  any  more  beautiful  religion  than  the  overcoming 
of  evil?  Science,  allied  with  this  noble  idea  of  Christianity, 
which  for  centuries  has  taken  root  in  the  world,  becomes  a 
means  of  uplifting  the  individual  and  his  family  both  mate- 
rially and  morally. 

"The  wounds  to  be  healed  are  innumerable.  Universal 
brotherhood  which  is  the  basis  of  the  doctrine  of  Christian 
Science  finds  its  work  here.  The  motive  of  the  Christian 
Science  War  Relief  Fund  is  to  put  into  the  hands  of  persons 
in  distress  the  means  of  re-creating  by  their  own  efforts  an 
independent  position." 

From  June,  1918,  onwards,  the  work  of  the  Comite 
Franfais  has  tended  more  and  more  towards  helping 
the  inhabitants  of  the  devastated  regions.  The  swift 
advance,  followed  by  the  swifter  retreat  of  the  Ger- 

57 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

mans,  created  the  most  difficult  and  distressing  condi- 
tions for  the  civil  population  and  there  was  practically 
no  preparation  to  meet  these  conditions.  Therefore,  it 
was  deemed  right  to  send  all  the  help  possible  into 
these  areas. 

This  the  Committee  did  in  many  instances  by  giving 
a  lump  sum  for  the  use  of  a  particular  town  or  region, 
this  sum  to  be  distributed  by  trustworthy  channels 
such  as  the  Comite  de  VAisne,  and  the  Comite  Lyon- 
St.-Quentin,  to  whom  the  sum  of  25,000  and  5000 
francs  were  given  respectively,  at  a  time  of  great 
stress. 

After  the  German  retreat  the  sum  of  30,000  francs 
was  given  to  the  city  of  St.  Quentin  and  to  a  region 
west  of  this  place  which  had  been  practically  destroyed 
in  the  recent  fighting,  and  out  of  this  money,  among 
other  things,  twenty  sewing  machines  were  purchased 
and  placed  in  various  centers.  They  were  known  as  the 
"Village  Machines"  and  were  used  in  turn  by  all  the 
inhabitants.  The  sum  of  30,000  francs  was  also  sent  to 
the  village  of  Wavrin,  some  ten  miles  south  of  Lille. 
This  village,  which  before  the  war  had  5000  inhabi- 
tants, all  of  them  superior  mechanics,  was  occupied 
by  the  Germans  for  four  years,  and  in  October,  1918, 
all  the  inhabitants  were  evacuated  and  sent  into  Bel- 
gium. The  Germans  then  put  a  bomb  in  each  house, 
and  on  leaving  the  town  blew  them  all  up.  The  inhabi- 
tants returned  on  foot  from  Belgium  towards  the  end 
of  December,  a  few  at  a  time,  and  when  the  chairman 
of  the  Comite  Francois  visited  the  place  on  December 
20,  some  2100  people  were  camping  in  the  ruins,  with- 
out beds  or  bedding.  The  French  authorities  were  able 
to  send  only  a  consignment  of  food  to  keep  them  from 

58 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  SEA 

starving  and  the  money  sent  by  the  Comite  Franpais 
provided  for  a  substantial  distribution  of  bedding, 
blankets,  warm  clothing  and  boots. 

When  permission  was  secured  from  the  French 
Government  to  ship  consignments  of  clothing  made 
by  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committees  in  the 
United  States  much  joy  was  felt  in  France.  Five 
shipments  have  been  sent,  a  total  of  558  cases,  con- 
taining clothing  and  comforts  of  various  kinds.  It  may 
be  of  interest  to  state  that  among  the  garments  in- 
cluded were  bathrobes,  shirts,  vests,  blouses,  suits, 
trousers,  for  men  and  boys;  chemises,  nightgowns, 
drawers,  petticoats,  stockings,  union  suits,  dresses, 
skirts,  bonnets,  aprons  for  women  and  girls;  babies' 
layettes  with  blankets,  bootees,  capes,  caps,  night- 
dresses, petticoats,  sacks,  shirts,  stockings,  diapers, 
bibs  and  afghans.  Knitted  articles  including  helmets, 
mittens,  shawls,  socks,  sweaters,  caps,  wristers,  trench 
caps  and  many  bolts  of  flannel  to  be  made  into  new 
garments  were  also  forwarded  in  large  quantities.  We 
can  probably  realize  only  faintly  the  comfort  which 
such  shipments  have  brought  to  inhabitants  returning 
to  such  desolate  places  as  Arras,  Bapaume,  Bethune, 
Loos,  Lens,  etc. 

The  distribution  of  the  first  shipment  was  made  by 
the  wife  of  one  of  the  French  deputies  in  the  depart- 
ment of  the  Aisne,  who  exercised  the  greatest  care  and 
wisdom  in  giving  the  articles  to  those  who  were  most 
needy.  The  second  lot  went  to  the  department  of  the 
Nord,  and  the  third  and  fourth  to  Arras. 

The  work  of  the  French  Committee  will  continue 
until  no  further  need  of  its  services  is  apparent. 

59 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Of  the  fruit  of  its  work  it  is  heartening  to  think  in 
the  words  of  one  of  our  hymns : 

"No  act  falls  fruitless ;  none  can  tell 
How  vast  its  pow'r  may  be; 
Nor  what  results  enfolded  dwell 
Within  it  silently." 

— Christian  Science  Hymnal. 


60 


Ill 

HELPING  HALIFAX 

On  Thursday,  December  6,  1917,  the  people  of  Hali- 
fax appealed  to  the  world  for  help  in  their  distress 
caused  by  the  collision  of  two  steamers,  the  Mont 
Blanc  and  the  Imo,  and  the  resulting  explosion  and 
fire.  Immediately  the  Christian  Science  organization 
responded.  The  Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors 
of  The  Mother  Church  appointed  a  committee  of  five 
members  to  proceed  to  Halifax  with  relief.  Obstacles 
such  as  storm,  limitation  of  time,  and  lack  of  trans- 
portation at  once  presented  themselves.  No  through 
train  was  available  on  Saturday  when  the  Committee 
was  to  leave ;  therefore  the  Board  of  Directors  author- 
ized arrangements  with  the  Boston  &  Maine  Railroad 
to  finance  a  special  train  from  Bangor  to  Halifax. 
Large  supplies  of  clothing  were  quickly  gathered  and 
placed  on  the  train,  and  at  7.30  p.m.,  Saturday,  De- 
cember 8,  the  Committee  left  Boston  in  a  terrific  snow- 
storm, "to  go,"  as  one  member  said  with  uplifted 
thought,  "not  to  a  city  of  disaster,  but  to  a  city  whose 
builder  and  maker  is  God,  a  city  of  harmony,  in  the 
ever-present  kingdom  of  heaven." 

About  thirty  people  besides  the  Christian  Science 
party  made  up  the  passenger  list  on  the  special  train. 
There  were  doctors,  nurses,  newspaper  reporters,  and 
those  bound  for  Halifax  who  were  seeking  out  rela- 
tives. These  were  grateful  indeed  for  the  opportunity 

61 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

which  had  so  unexpectedly  opened  for  them  to  reach 
Halifax  twenty-four  hours  sooner  than  otherwise 
would  have  been  possible.  The  privilege  of  sending 
goods  to  Halifax  was  extended  to  those  along  the 
route  of  travel. 

The  journey  was  happy  and  harmonious.  One  man 
on  the  train  testified  that  he  had  eaten  his  first  normal 
breakfast  in  ten  years  that  Sunday  morning  and  felt 
no  distress.  He  attributed  this  healing  to  the  helpful 
association  with  Christian  Scientists,  and  listened 
with  marked  interest  to  explanations  of  Christian 
Science. 

Ours  was  the  third  relief  train  to  start  for  Halifax. 
At  St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  the  Committee  was 
met  by  a  delegation  of  about  twenty-five  Scientists, 
who  were  eager  to  extend  any  aid  possible.  They 
offered  to  forward  oil  stoves  and  food  if  there  were 
need  of  them,  and  a  small  number  were  ready  to  join 
the  party  immediately  if  necessary. 

Both  of  the  previous  trains  were  held  up  at  Truro, 
sixty  miles  from  Halifax,  one  for  half  a  day,  and  the 
other  for  five  hours,  and  trainmen  prophesied  that 
this  would  prove  a  similar  case.  As  when  in  the  pre- 
ceding hours  obstacles  of  storm  and  lack  were  over- 
come, so  now,  thought  was  uplifted  to  perceive  the 
freedom  of  the  Sons  of  God  and  to  know  that  there 
could  be  no  delay  in  Mind's  activity.  The  train  re- 
mained in  Truro  but  ten  minutes.  An  inspector 
boarded  the  train  and  during  his  conversation  said 
that  the  delegation  could  get  no  nearer  the  city  than 
the  five-mile  limit.  Again  God's  power  was  relied 
upon,  and  the  following  morning,  Monday,  Decem- 
ber 10,  upon  rising  the  Committee  found  themselves 
in  the  heart  of  the  city,  their  train  having  been  the 

62 


HELPING  HALIFAX 

first  to  pass  under  a  badly  burned  bridge  and  through 
the  devastated  region. 

In  the  cold  gray  of  the  morning  they  went  forth, 
with  but  little  knowledge  of  the  conditions,  destruc- 
tion meeting  the  eye  at  every  turn;  nevertheless  the 
inspiration  of  Love,  of  God's  ever-presence,  so  filled 
their  thought  that  radiant  smiles  and  boundless 
energy  for  work  were  manifested. 

The  party  left  the  train  about  seven  o'clock  and 
proceeded  to  the  hotel,  where  they  were  met  by  a 
member  of  the  Halifax  church,  who  gratefully  re- 
ported that  all  the  Christian  Scientists  were  safe.  The 
goods  brought  by  the  Committee  were  taken  to  the 
Masonic  Hall,  the  central  relief  station  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  all  clothing  and  were  immediately  dis- 
tributed to  the  destitute  people  who  awaited  relief. 
The  Christian  Science  literature  they  had  carried  was 
taken  to  the  Immigration  Office  from  whence  it  was 
distributed  to  hotels,  news  stands,  churches,  and  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  All  were  eager  to  receive  it,  especially 
the  Monitors,  as  no  newspapers  had  entered  Halifax 
since  the  morning  of  the  catastrophe. 

During  their  stay  our  party  worked  with  the  gen- 
eral committee  at  the  Masonic  Hall  in  distributing 
clothing  to  those  who  had  lost  all  they  possessed. 
When  there  came  a  shortage  of  particular  articles  of 
clothing,  some  member  of  the  Committee  would  go  to 
local  stores  and  buy  these  goods.  At  other  times  they 
took  to  the  stores  those  individuals  who  needed  spe- 
cial garments  and  were  unable  to  obtain  correct  sizes 
or  kinds  from  the  miscellaneous  supplies  at  the  relief 
station.  Again,  when  there  appeared  a  lack  of  sup- 
plies to  fill  rush  orders  for  the  refugees,  someone  on 
the  Committee  completed  the  order  by  purchasing  the 

63 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

needed  articles  at  local  stores.  The  ready  cash  at  hand 
was  thus  utilized  to  best  advantage  at  these  particular 
crises. 

In  the  meantime,  in  Boston,  arrangements  were 
made  for  special  collections  in  The  Mother  Church, 
and  also  in  many  of  the  branch  churches  in  other 
cities,  and  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  pre- 
pared to  gather  clothing  and  supplies.  Many  indi- 
viduals, learning  of  the  need,  sent  donations.  The 
following  are  examples  of  the  many  messages  re- 
ceived : 

"I  enclose  a  check  for  fifty  dollars  as  a  contribution  for 
the  Halifax  Relief  Fund.  I  see  by  the  Monitor  that  the  need 
is  still  great,  and  am  grateful  to  have  the  chance  to  share  a 
small  amount  with  those  in  need." 

"I  enclose  one  dollar  for  the  Halifax  Relief  Fund.  It  is 
very  small,  but  I  wanted  to  add  this  to  the  collection  taken 
Sunday,  for  which  I  was  not  prepared.  I  am  so  grateful  to 
the  Directors  of  The  Mother  Church  for  their  beautiful  and 
generous  response  to  the  cry  for  help  from  Halifax.  It  is  an 
inspiration  for  me  to  work  better." 

The  Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors  wired 
the  Relief  Committee  that  they  would  supply  a  fully 
equipped  field  kitchen,  with  four  men,  and  also  food 
if  needed.  In  view  of  the  improved  conditions,  this 
offer  could  not  be  accepted,  but  the  chairmen  of  the 
different  committees  in  Halifax  expressed  their  deep 
appreciation  for  the  offer.  On  every  side  the  Christian 
Science  Committee  heard  words  of  commendation  for 
their  own  work  and  for  the  generosity  of  the  Christian 
Science  Church. 

One  of  the  prominent  committee  chairmen  said  to 
two  members,  and  later  to  a  third  member  of  the 

64 


HELPING  HALIFAX 

Christian  Science  Committee:  "I  have  never  wit- 
nessed such  a  manifestation  of  true  Christianity  in  my 
life.  In  the  past  I  have  always  spoken  against  Chris- 
tian Science,  but  I  have  done  it  for  the  last  time."  An 
extract  from  his  letter,  written  upon  the  return  of  the 
Committee  to  Boston,  is  interesting: 

"There  is  one  outstanding  feature  in  connection  with  the 
whole  affair,  and  that  is  the  promptitude  with  which  the 
people  of  Boston  and  Massachusetts  in  general  came  to  our 
assistance.  .  .  .  No  words  of  mine  can  express  to  you,  your 
party,  and  your  Church,  the  thanks  of  Halifax  for  the 
promptness  with  which  you  arrived  on  the  scene,  the  goods 
you  brought  with  you,  and  last  but  not  least,  the  sympathy 
you  showed  and  the  willingness  with  which  you  undertook 
any  work  that  came  first  to  your  hand." 

A  physician  of  Greater  Boston,  who  was  in  Hali- 
fax on  relief  work,  in  a  letter  to  the  Committee  on  its 
return  to  Boston,  wrote  the  following: 

"Your  whole  committee  proved  their  worth  many  times 
over,  by  their  ever-readiness  to  do  the  most  menial  tasks,  and 
to  give  aid  to  everyone  who  was  in  need,  and  indeed  there 
were  many.  May  I  thank  you  again  for  the  courtesy  you 
showed  us,  and  accept  this  as  an  appreciation  of  the  altru- 
istic attitude  of  your  Committee  as  a  whole." 

The  coming  of  the  Committee  clearly  brought  joy 
and  inspiration  to  the  Christian  Scientists  of  Halifax. 
After  the  explosion  took  place,  many  were  depressed, 
and  were  glad  to  receive  this  comforting  aid.  Many 
told  of  the  uplift  of  thought  which  came  to  them  when 
they  received  word  of  what  the  Directors  of  The 
Mother  Church  had  planned.  The  Wednesday  eve- 
ning meeting  was  one  never  to  be  forgotten.  Expres- 
sion after  expression  of  gratitude  was  given  for  the 

65 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

protection  received  by  the  individuals  through  their 
understanding  of  the  teachings  of  Christian  Science. 
Out  of  a  congregation  of  about  eighty  people,  only 
one  had  been  injured  physically,  and  that  one  only 
slightly.  All  who  spoke  expressed  deepest  thanks  to 
the  Board  of  Directors  for  the  loving  thought  which 
prompted  them  to  send  aid  through  the  Committee. 
It  seemed  at  this  meeting  as  if  all  present  opened 
their  hearts  and  gave  full  vent  to  the  love  and  grati- 
tude they  felt:  gratitude  to  God,  to  Christ  Jesus,  the 
Way  shower,  to  our  beloved  Leader,  Mrs.  Eddy,  to 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  The  Mother  Church,  and 
to  the  Relief  Committee.  Those  present  will  never 
forget  the  wonderful  inspiration  received  and  the  love 
and  gratitude  expressed  by  all. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  regular  meeting,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  congregated  in  an  adjoining  room. 
They  were  told  by  our  Committee  of  the  money  ready 
for  their  use  in  restoring  the  church  edifice  and  in 
aiding  the  members  and  others  who  were  in  need. 

A  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  Directors  of 
The  Mother  Church  in  Boston,  consisting  of  Chris- 
tian Scientists  of  Halifax,  to  whom  was  given  author- 
ity to  expend  the  funds  donated  by  the  Christian 
Science  field.  The  relief  afforded  by  the  funds  was 
not  limited  to  any  religious  creed.  The  Committee  co- 
operated with  the  existing  relief  organizations  and 
social  workers,  in  order  that  their  work  might  not 
overlap  the  activity  of  the  others.  Certain  cases  which 
the  public  funds  could  not  properly  and  fully  relieve 
were  the  special  care  of  the  Committee.  Appropriate 
memoranda  were  kept,  forming  a  basis  for  the  investi- 
gation of  each  claim  brought  to  the  attention  of  the 
Committee  by  the  Halifax  Commission. 

66 


o 


HELPING  HALIFAX 

From  the  very  start,  the  work  was  done  quietly  and 
effectively.  First,  the  Christian  Science  Church 
structure  was  repaired,  and  no  claim  was  presented 
to  the  city  or  to  their  Commission  for  damages  to  the 
church  property.  Next,  those  members  of  the  church 
who  had  suffered  damages  to  their  homes  were  re- 
imbursed. Then  individual  cases  of  great  need  were 
investigated  and  helped.  Donations  were  made  to 
various  organizations  which  were  engaged  in  helping 
the  sufferers:  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Community  Hall, 
Protestant  Orphans'  Home,  Halifax  Playgrounds 
Commission,  Halifax  Welfare  Bureau,  the  Jost 
Mission  under  Methodist  Auspices,  Bureau  of  Social 
Service,  Y.  W.  C.  A.  and  the  Old  Ladies'  Home. 
Braille  Christian  Science  literature  was  provided  for 
the  blind.  A  number  of  one-year  subscriptions  to  the 
Monitor  were  placed  in  hotels,  the  Naval  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
and  given  to  some  prominent  social  workers.  Lastly, 
the  Committee,  in  agreement  with  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  The  Mother  Church,  established  a  down- 
town reading  room,  in  order  to  reach  the  public  in  a 
more  direct  way  than  the  former  reading  room  in  the 
church  structure  could  do.  Here  was  a  great  oppor- 
tunity to  reach  soldiers,  sailors,  and  refugees  from  the 
devastated  region,  and  the  establishment  of  the  read- 
ing room  could  truly  aid  the  situation  created  by  the 
explosion.  As  the  Committee  had  gone  a  long  way 
toward  helping  along  material  lines,  they  felt  that 
now  there  should  be  an  opportunity  to  make  Chris- 
tian Science  felt  locally  through  its  literature  and 
periodicals.  The  Christian  Science  Church  in  Halifax 
aided  in  the  support  of  this  downtown  reading  room. 
The  amounts  expended  by  the  Committee  are  given 
elsewhere. 

67 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

The  following  are  excerpts  from  a  few  of  the  many 
letters  of  appreciation  for  the  aid  rendered  through 
the  Christian  Science  Halifax  Relief  Committee: 

"I  wish  to  acknowledge  with  grateful  appreciation  the 
receipt  of  your  generous  check  of  $25  for  the  benefit  of  the 
girls  who  lost  their  sight  in  the  explosion.  I  regret  that  you 
can  only  enjoy  a  reflection  of  the  pleasure  it  has  given  me  to 
supply  them  with  a  comfortable  chair  for  use  in  the 
morning." 

"On  behalf  of  the  Committee  of  Management  of  the  Old 
Ladies'  Home,  I  thank  you  for  the  kind  gift  of  one  hundred 
dollars  towards  the  equipment  of  our  kitchenette,  and  fifty 
dollars  towards  the  support  and  comfort  of  Mrs.  X." 

"I  want  to  thank  you  most  warmly  for  the  way  in  which 
you  have  helped  me  in  my  recent  illness.  I  received  your 
checks  weekly,  and  found  them  most  acceptable.  I  am  so  glad 
to  be  able  to  go  to  work  again." 

"Enclosed  please  find  receipted  bill  for  $50,  generously 
given  to  Mrs.  B  by  your  committee  for  her  board  and  care. 
Will  you  allow  me  to  express  our  thanks  and  appreciation 
to  the  givers  for  their  wish  to  help  one  who  has  suffered 
severely  because  of  the  explosion.  I  telephoned  my  personal 
thanks  for  the  $25  you  sent  me.  This  note  gives  me  an  extra 
chance  to  say  'Thank  you'  many  times  for  your  most  un- 
expected gift  to  one  who  certainly  has  been  in  no  uncertain 
way  a  victim  of  the  terrible  disaster  of  December  6th,  in 
material  things.  In  closing,  I  would  like  to  add  that  I  appre- 
ciate more  than  all  the  kindly  way  you  listened  to  my  tale 
of  woe  in  behalf  of  a  few  of  the  sufferers  of  the  disaster. 
The  thought  of  burdens  lightened  may  well  give  to  all  those 
who  have  given  so  largely  in  dollars  for  relief,  the  rest  that 
comes  each  night  with  the  knowledge  that  someone,  some- 
where, is  the  better  for  our  giving  and  doing." 

68 


HELPING  HALIFAX 

"Owing  to  the  pressure  of  work  involved  in  the  removal 
of  the  old  ladies  back  to  their  home,  the  Committee  of  Man- 
agement has  not  been  able  to  hold  its  regular  monthly  meet- 
ing, but  I  cannot  longer  refrain  from  acknowledging  the 
most  kind  and  exceedingly  welcome  gift  of  your  Committee. 
The  old  ladies  have  lost  so  many  things  dear  to  them  from 
old  associations,  as  well  as  much  that  was  useful,  and  have 
been  so  brave,  cheerful,  and  courageous  all  through,  that 
we  are  rejoiced  to  be  able,  through  your  munificent  and  most 
thoughtful  gift,  to  make  up  to  them  their  personal  losses. 
With  sincerest  thanks  to  your  Committee  and  yourself  for 
this  further  kindness." 

"Permit  me  to  thank  you  for  your  letter  and  a  cheque  for 
$1000  which  I  received  this  morning  to  be  applied  to  the 
Playground  work  on  the  Exhibition  Grounds  and  Commons. 
I  shall  bring  this  matter  before  the  Playground  Association 
at  an  early  date  and  they  will,  I  know,  express  their  thanks 
to  you.  ...  It  is  a  most  generous  gift  and  I  know  will 
'bring  large  returns  in  the  development  of  character  of  the 
children  who  have  been  stricken  in  the  Halifax  disaster." 


69 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

NEWSPAPER   COMMENT   ON   HALIFAX 
EXPEDITION 

CHRISTIAN  SCIENTISTS  DO  RELIEF  WORK 

Nonpareil,  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  December  17,  1917 

Editor  Nonpareil : — Splendid  work  was  done  by  the  Chris- 
tian Scientists  of  Boston  in  rushing  aid  to  the  stricken  city 
of  Halifax.  Finding- no  through  train  from  Boston  available 
on  Saturday,  the  day  of  the  recent  disaster  in  that  city, 
representatives  of  the  church  arranged  for  a  special  train 
which  left  Boston  in  a  storm,  but  outran  it,  and  speeded 
northward  carrying  aid  to  the  Halifax  sufferers  in  the 
shape  of  clothing  and  supplies  as  well  as  $10,000  in  cash  and 
letters  of  credit. 

When  it  became  known  in  Boston  that  this  special  train 
had  been  arranged  for,  other  relief  workers  asked  permission 
to  take  passage  on  it,  which  was  readily  granted  and  thirty 
or  forty  Red  Cross  workers  and  physicians  with  supplies 
accompanied  the  Scientists. 

A  collection  taken  Sunday  in  The  First  Church  of  Christ, 
Scientist,  in  Boston  amounted  to  $4693.04.  There  was  no 
time  to  give  notice  in  advance  of  this  collection.  Collections 
were  also  arranged  by  many  of  the  branch  churches,  which 
have  not  yet  been  reported. 

Post,  Chicago,  Illinois,  December  13,  1917 

Boston,  December  13. — The  presence  of  doctors  and 
nurses  on  board  a  Christian  Science  special  seems  a  strange 
contradiction.  Yet  it  happened  on  the  relief  train  sent  by 
the  Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors  here  to  the  imme- 
diate succor  of  Halifax.  It  became  known  today  that  the 
Directors  chartered  a  special  in  order  to  rush  thru  $10,000 
contributed  in  cash  and  thousands  of  dollars'  worth  of  food 
and  warm  clothing.  As  the  train  was  being  made  up,  city 

70 


HELPING  HALIFAX 

hall  officials  telephoned  that  a  number  of  physicians,  sur- 
geons and  trained  nurses  wished  to  make  the  trip,  and  found 
that  it  was  practically  impossible.  They,  therefore,  asked  per- 
mission to  go  on  the  Christian  Science  special.  Permission 
was  instantly  granted  and  some  forty  doctors  and  their 
assistants  rode  to  Halifax  in  company  with  the  Christian 
Scientists. 

Daily  Times  Journal,  Fort  William,  Ontario,  Canada, 
December  19,  1917 

The  Christian  Scientists  of  Boston,  Mass.,  magnificently 
came  to  the  assistance  of  the  stricken  people  of  Halifax, 
when  they  sent  a  special  train  from  the  Massachusetts  capi- 
tal bearing  relief  of  all  kinds  in  clothing,  provisions  and  sup- 
plies for  the  suffering,  homeless  and  destitute. 

The  train  was  met  at  St.  John  by  a  committee  of  promi- 
nent business  men.  Accompanying  this  splendid  donation  was 
the  sum  of  $10,000  in  cash.  Hearing  of  the  departure  of  the 
relief  special,  thirty  or  forty  Red  Cross  officials  asked  per- 
mission to  accompany  the  train,  and  leave  was  willingly 
granted.  It  was  an  unusual  spectacle — a  train  of  relief  from 
the  mother  Christian  Scientist  church  in  Boston,  with  lead- 
ing church  officials  in  charge,  and  Red  Cross  officers  with 
them,  all  bent  on  the  one  errand  of  mercy — the  relief  of  suf- 
fering. A  collection  taken  in  the  mother  Christian  Science 
church  in  Boston  last  Sunday  for  the  Halifax  relief  fund,  in 
answer  to  an  appeal,  elicited  the  splendid  response  of 
$4693.14.  Special  appeals  were  made  in  Port  Arthur  last 
Sunday  in  the  Christian  Science  church,  and  when  the  returns 
are  all  in  it  is  expected  that  $50  will  be  forthcoming  from 
this  small  coterie  of  generous  people. 

Argus  Leader,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota, 
December  18,  1917 

Sorrow  and  suffering  are  often  the  mellowing  influence 
required  to  drive  the  steel  from  the  hearts  of  men.  With  all 

71 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

its  horror  and  terrific  toll,  the  world  war  brings  its  good,  its 
softer  tones  and  better  aims. 

When  the  explosion  occurred  at  Halifax  with  its  tre- 
mendous loss  of  life  and  havoc  wrought  about  the  city,  the 
Christian  Science  society  at  Boston  jumped  into  the  breach 
with  practical  aid. 

Its  directors  chartered  a  special  train  to  Halifax,  took 
along  $10,000  in  cash  raised  from  their  members,  and  loaded 
it  down  with  clothing,  food  and  necessary  supplies.  The  Red 
Cross  and  some  charitable  organizations  had  desired  to  take 
the  same  steps  but  were  unable  to  secure  transportation. 
They  asked  permission  of  the  Christian  Scientists  to  ship 
aboard  their  special  and  it  was  promptly  granted. 

This  train  impelled  by  love  and  helpfulness,  the  right 
thing  at  the  right  time,  rushed  on  to  Halifax  with  Christian 
Scientists  and  doctors  rubbing  elbows.  Each  aimed  at  the 
same  goal,  each  was  on  a  mission  of  mercy,  inspired  by  love 
of  God  to  help  their  fellow  man  who  needed  aid. 

'Tis  said  that  sorrow  makes  us  all  akin.  Each  is  created 
in  the  image  of  Divinity  and  controlled  by  one  Intelligence. 

Do  soldiers  in  the  trenches  stop  to  question  by  what  faith 
their  comrades  seek  to  enter  heaven?  When  facing  death  do 
they  inquire  the  church  to  which  the  other  fellow  belongs? 
They  only  know  that  he  is  one  of  them — their  fellow  man. 

And  with  the  war  comes  tolerance  of  other  men's  ideals, 
the  love  that  grows  from  common  cause.  With  back  to  wall, 
with  heads  held  high  in  righteousness,  we  all  must  face  the 
foe  that  threatens  liberty. 

News  Tribune,  Duluth,  Minnesota,  December  20,  1917 

STRANGE  BEDFELLOWS 

Catastrophe,  as  well  as  war  and  politics,  makes  strange 
bedfellows.  But  nothing  stranger  has  happened  than  this. 
As  soon  as  the  wreck  of  Halifax  was  flashed  to  Boston,  The 
Mother  Church  of  Christian  Science  raised  $10,000  in  cash, 

72 


HELPING  HALIFAX 

secured  a  special  train,  loaded  it  with  supplies  and  with  the 
cash  and  supplies  was  ready  to  speed  relief  to  the  stricken 
city. 

The  officials  of  Boston,  trying  to  get  a  special  train,  found 
the  Scientists  were  a  lap  ahead  of  them,  and  special  trains 
are  not  easy  to  get  these  days.  The  Red  Cross  made  a  like 
discovery.  Both  city  and  Red  Cross  hurried  to  The  Mother 
Church  officials. 

On  schedule  time  that  train  pulled  away  from  Boston 
loaded  with  the  workers,  supplies  and  money  of  the  Church 
of  Christ,  Scientist,  with  doctors  and  medicines  from  the 
city  of  Boston  and  with  nurses  and  supplies  from  the  Red 
Cross. 

Where  has  there  been  a  more  spleadid  sinking  of  human 
belief  and  opinion,  of  religious  and  personal  prejudice,  the 
forgetting  of  all  revilings  and  enmities,  in  the  bigger,  nobler, 
holier  faith  in  a  common  humanity?  It  recalls  the  tenth  and 
eleventh  Beatitudes, 


73 


IV 

CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  CAMP  WEL- 
FARE COMMITTEE 

As  the  great  camp  cities,  scattered  throughout  the 
United  States,  established  for  the  training  of  the 
army-to-be,  took  form  in  the  summer  and  early  fall 
of  1917,  the  necessity  of  providing  for  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  the  soldier  Scientists  already  gathered  there 
in  considerable  numbers  began  to  press  for  attention. 

Exclusion  by  the  War  Department  of  all  religious 
and  benevolent  organizations  excepting  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  a  ruling  later 
greatly  modified,  made  the  problem  at  first  a  rather 
difficult  one.  It  had  been  hoped  to  erect  in  each  camp 
a  Christian  Science  building  capable  of  accommodat- 
ing good-sized  groups  of  soldiers  during  their  leisure 
hours  and  also  of  housing  one  or  more  Christian  Sci- 
ence practitioners  whose  services  would  thus  be  imme- 
diately and  constantly  available.  The  ruling  referred 
to,  however,  made  this  at  least  temporarily  impossible 
and  other  means  had  to  be  devised. 

While  these  were  being  sought,  the  demand  from 
many  parts  of  the  country  that  something  be  done  for 
the  men  in  camp  became  increasingly  insistent.  Chris- 
tian Scientists  traveling  in  the  South  called  attention 
to  the  fact  that  in  many  of  the  camp  towns  in  that 
section  there  were  few  if  any  Scientists  and  that  no 
provision  was  being  made  for  the  Science  men  in  the 

74 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Building  and  Workers'  Cottage, 
Camp  Lewis,  Washington 


.-..-■ 

^!s 

V 

1 

:      ,;" 

Auditorium  and  Reading  Room,  Camp  Lewis,  Washington 


Corner  of  Writing   Room,  War  Relief  Building, 
Camp  Lewis,  Washington 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

army,  adding  an  urgent  plea  that  something  be  done 
at  once  to  supply  literature,  practitioners  and,  if  pos- 
sible, an  assembly  room  for  them.  Mothers  of  boys 
who  had  entered  the  service  wrote  asking  what  pro- 
vision was  being  made  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  their 
sons  who  would  soon  be  far  from  the  home  influence 
and  surrounded  by  new  and  strange  conditions.  Inter- 
ested friends  and  relatives  added  their  voices  to  the 
growing  appeal  that  steps  be  taken  at  once  to  make 
Christian  Science  available  to  the  men  in  service. 

A  new  note  was  introduced  when  groups  of  churches 
and  societies  in  the  neighborhood  of  some  of  the  north- 
ern camps  wrote  asking  sanction  for  plans  they  were 
considering  for  establishing  and  maintaining  a  purely 
local  activity  and  this  was  emphasized  when,  from  the 
Northwest,  came  a  telegram  one  day  asking  approval 
for  a  plan  to  build  a  Welfare  house  at  Camp  Lewis 
for  which  several  thousand  dollars  had  already  been 
pledged.  In  fact,  in  some  instances,  the  demand  had 
seemingly  required  the  taking  of  steps  in  advance  of 
any  general  plan,  and  both  in  Northern  and  Southern 
California,  in  San  Francisco  and  San  Diego,  well- 
appointed  rooms  for  the  exclusive  use  of  soldiers  and 
sailors  were  in  operation,  the  expense  being  borne  by 
the  churches  and  societies  of  the  towns  and  cities  adja- 
cent to  these  centers.  Somewhat  similar  action  had 
been  taken  by  the  Scientists  of  Greater  New  York 
and  a  well-defined  local  scheme  was  virtually  ready 
to  be  put  into  operation  when  that  of  The  Mother 
Church  was  submitted.  Needless  to  say  the  New  York 
churches  immediately  adopted  the  larger  plan,  endors- 
ing it  enthusiastically  at  a  State  Conference  of 
Churches  and  Societies  early  in  December,  1917.  The 

75 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

church  at  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  assisted  financially 
by  a  number  of  other  Michigan  churches,  was  doing  a 
considerable  work  at  Camp  Custer  at  this  time,  some- 
thing like  eight  hundred  Monitors  being  distributed 
daily.  The  Literature  Distribution  Committee  of  the 
Chicago  churches  was  also  serving  the  men  at  the 
Naval  Training  Station  at  Great  Lakes,  Illinois,  and 
The  Mother  Church  had  itself  rendered  some  aid  at 
Camp  Devens  at  Ayer,  Massachusetts,  and  at  Camp 
Lee  in  Virginia.  The  Junction  City,  Kansas,  church 
had  also  instituted  a  work  at  Camp  Funston  and 
aided  by  contributions  of  literature  from  the  Publica- 
tion Committee  for  that  State,  was  doing  effective 
work.  Thus  from  many  directions  and  in  differing 
ways  was  coming  the  evidence,  accumulating  daily, 
that  the  Christian  Science  field  was  ready,  yes,  willing, 
even  anxious,  to  undertake  the  task. 

During  this  period  the  Christian  Science  Board  of 
Directors,  mindful  of  the  ruling  of  the  War  Depart- 
ment and  equally  so  of  the  growing  need,  earnestly 
sought  a  solution  of  the  problem  thus  presented.  In 
November  of  1917  the  Board  appointed  a  Christian 
Science  Camp  Welfare  Committee  and  delegated  to  it 
the  working  out  of  a  suitable  plan  to  accomplish  the 
desired  result.  The  Committee  set  to  work  at  once,  vis- 
ited several  of  the  large  camps,  studied  the  needs  care- 
fully and  soon  developed  a  plan  that  gave  promise  of 
meeting  the  requirements  of  the  Christian  Science 
men  in  the  service  as  well  as  any  others  who  might  be 
inclined  to  accept  the  aid  of  the  Conmiittee  and  which 
at  the  same  time  met  the  conditions  imposed  by  the 
War  Department.  The  basic  thought  in  the  plan  was, 
first  of  all,  to  render  a  tireless  service  to  all  men  in  the 

76 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

army  at  all  times,  day  or  night.  This  of  course  was  to 
include  physical  healing  by  Christian  Science  methods, 
and  the  supply  of  Christian  Science  books  and  lit- 
erature to  whatever  extent  might  be  justified  by  the 
circumstances.  This  service  was  to  be  rendered  by 
Camp  Workers  who  would  visit  the  camps  daily  and 
remain  only  as  long  as  their  work  required.  It  was 
hoped  that  such  a  service  would  quickly  justify  itself 
and  result  in  official  permission  for  these  Workers  to 
live  permanently  in  the  camps,  in  homes  provided 
either  by  our  Committee  or  the  Government  itself. 
The  plan  also  included  a  definite  form  of  organiza- 
tion whereby  the  Christian  Science  Churches  and  So- 
cieties of  each  state  were  to  appoint  a  War  Relief 
Committee  to  supervise  the  work  locally  and  to  act  as 
the  link  between  them  and  The  Mother  Church  Com- 
mittee in  Boston.  To  these  State.  Committees  the 
burden  of  the  work  was  entrusted,  as  well  as  much  of 
its  responsibility,  including  the  gathering  of  funds 
with  which  to  cany  it  on. 

With  some  minor  changes  the  scheme  was  adopted 
by  the  Board  of  Directors  and  a  notice  was  imme- 
diately sent  by  them  to  the  three  largest  churches  in 
each  state  advising  them  of  the  appointment  of  the 
Committee  and  stating  that  the  Manager  of  the  Com- 
mittee would  be  available  to  explain  the  plan  and 
assist  in  the  organization  of  the  work  in  their  state  if 
desired. 

Through  the  instant  and  hearty  cooperation  of  the 
churches  the  Manager  of  the  Committee  was  enabled 
by  the  end  of  January,  1918,  to  visit  and  assist  in  the 
organization  of  the  work  in  thirty  or  more  states  and 
in  a  notably  brief  space  of  time  work  was  under  way  in 
a  considerable  number  of  camps. 

77 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Organization  continued  uninterruptedly  until  the 
United  States  was  fully  covered  and  the  work  in  and 
out  of  the  camps  grew  rapidly  month  by  month  as 
Christian  Scientists  learned  more  of  what  was  being 
accomplished  and  of  its  value.  Under  this  plan  the 
activities  reached  their  highest  point  in  October  of 
1918.  At  that  time  there  were  employed  by  the  Com- 
mittee over  two  hundred  men  and  women  distributed 
throughout  the  camps,  hospitals,  barracks  and  various 
training  centers  in  the  United  States  and  abroad.  The 
record  of  the  work  done  by  these  men  and  women  con- 
stitutes a  story  of  unwonted  activity,  of  unselfish  devo- 
tion to  duty  and  one  unusually  rich  with  incidents 
testifying  to  the  efficacy  of  the  service  rendered.  A 
detailed  history  of  the  work  of  any  one  of  them  would 
in  most  cases  require  a  volume  larger  than  this  report, 
though  it  would  be  replete  with  interest  throughout. 

The  rapidity  with  which  the  organization  of  the 
Camp  Welfare  Committee  was  perfected,  the  unity 
of  thought  and  action  expressed  by  Scientists  every- 
where, the  astonishing  results  that  immediately  and 
continuously  rewarded  the  ministrations  of  the  Work- 
ers in  camp  and  hospital,  all  testify  to  the  readiness  of 
the  Christian  Science  movement  to  respond  whole- 
heartedly to  every  proper  call  made  upon  it  and  give 
evidence  of  its  efficiency  in  hours  of  emergency. 


78 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 


IN  CAMP  AND  TRAINING  STATION 

To  give  the  reader  a  clear  understanding  of  the  plan 
of  organization  adopted  by  the  entire  Christian  Sci- 
ence field  and  put  into  operation  so  promptly,  a  de- 
tailed description  of  the  procedure  in  a  single  state 
will  suffice.  Virginia  may  be  chosen  as  typical,  because 
of  the  varied  lines  of  war  activity  represented  there. 
Besides  the  great  training  camp  at  Petersburg,  named 
Camp  Lee,  in  honor  of  that  beloved  leader  of  the 
South,  there  were  five  important  embarkation  camps 
in  the  Tide  Water  District,  known  as  Camps  Morri- 
son, Hill,  Stuart,  Alexander  and  Eustis.  There  was 
also  Langley  Field,  an  aviation  center,  a  balloon 
school,  as  well  as  trench  mortar  and  anti-aircraft 
schools,  ammunition  train  and  army  supply  bases.  In 
the  same  district  was  located  our  greatest  naval  base. 
The  Grand  Fleet  lay  off  Yorktown.  Thousands  of 
men  were  stationed  at  the  navy  yard  at  Norfolk  and 
the  big  naval  hospital  at  the  same  place  was  usually 
filled.  Hampton  Roads,  Old  Point  Comfort  and  the 
naval  operating  base  opposite  were  veritable  hives 
of  industry.  Including  both  arms  of  the  service  there 
were  probably  never  less  than  two  hundred  thousand 
soldiers  and  sailors  in  Virginia  during  the  spring, 
summer  and  fall  of  1918,  to  be  served  by  our  Com- 
mittee. To  meet  adequately  the  varying  needs  of  these 
numbers  of  men  was  the  problem. 

With  this  in  mind,  representatives  of  the  three 
largest  churches  of  Virginia  met  on  January  6,  1918, 
and  elected  a  State  Camp  Welfare  Committee.  This 
election  was  later  ratified  by  the  remaining  churches 
and  societies  of  the  state.  The  Committee  at  once  took 

79 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

in  hand  the  organization  of  the  large  task  before  them 
and  soon  had  Workers  at  Camp  Lee,  Norfolk,  New- 
port News  and  Hampton.  Rooms  were  established  at 
these  four  points  and  attendants  placed  in  charge.  At 
its  maximum  the  work  in  Virginia  required  twelve 
persons,  eight  Workers  and  four  Welfare  Room 
attendants.  Five  automobiles  were  purchased  for  the 
Workers  with  the  land  forces  and  two  boats  for  those 
who  were  to  serve  the  forces  afloat,  and  for  many 
months  thereafter,  members  of  the  Committee  had 
little  time  for  any  activity  save  that  connected  with 
the  army  and  navy.  The  expenditure  of  large  sums 
of  money  necessitated  great  care  and  thought.  Direc- 
tion of  the  group  of  Workers  stationed  at  widely 
separated  points  required  much  time,  and  the  ever- 
present  desire  to  do  more  and  more  each  day  to 
extend  the  work  until  it  should  reach  every  single 
man  and  place,  no  matter  how  remote,  permitted  no 
cessation  of  activity.  A  diagram  of  the  Tide  Water 
District  is  reproduced  to  aid  the  reader  in  forming  an 
idea  of  the  task  performed  by  the  Virginia  Committee 
and  its  corps  of  Workers.  In  the  section  of  this  chapter 
devoted  to  the  work  in  the  navy  will  be  found  further 
details. 

Unusual  features  in  connection  with  the  early  devel- 
opment of  the  work  were  to  be  found  in  many  states. 
The  Massachusetts  Committee  in  caring  for  the  sol- 
diers and  sailors  in  and  immediately  adjacent  to 
Boston  alone,  found  it  necessary  to  employ  three 
Workers  and  an  assistant.  Camp  Devens,  in  the  same 
state,  was  the  first  to  have  a  regularly  appointed 
Camp  Worker,  though  volunteer  work  had  previously 
been  done  in  at  least  two  camps  elsewhere.  The  con- 

80 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

dition  in  North  and  South  Carolina  was  unique,  for 
here  one  Committee,  with  its  headquarters  in  Char- 
lotte, North  Carolina,  cared  for  the  work  at  the 
numerous  points  in  the  two  states.  Texas,  also,  with 
its  great  size  and  splendid  distances,  found  a  slight 
departure  from  the  general  scheme  necessary,  and 
appointing  a  local  Committee  of  five  or  more  persons 
at  each  of  the  camp  towns,  brought  these  under  one 
head  by  choosing  a  single  individual  as  Manager  of  all 
the  Committees  in  the  state,  with  headquarters  in 
Dallas.  This  person  was  a  paid  Worker  and  regularly 
visited  the  various  points  of  activity  in  the  state,  aid- 
ing and  in  a  general  way  directing  the  work  every- 
where. The  service  to  men  along  the  Mexican  border 
conducted  from  El  Paso  carried  the  Worker  for  many 
miles  up  and  down  a  desolate  and  much-neglected  part 
of  the  army  world  and  for  this  reason  was  doubly 
welcome.  The  mammoth  aviation  fields,  Kelly  I  and 
Kelly  II,  at  San  Antonio,  presented  exceptional 
opportunities  and  the  men  in  this  branch  were  most 
appreciative  of  our  efforts.  There  were  eighteen 
authorized  Workers  and  assistants  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  Texas  State  Manager,  and  nine  automo- 
biles were  in  constant  use.  The  perfect  teamwork  of 
this  large  force  was  a  source  of  constant  gratitude  to 
all  concerned. 

Formation  of  the  Tank  Corps  School  at  Gettys- 
burg gave  Pennsylvania  the  opportunity  to  employ 
its  second  regular  Camp  Worker,  the  first  being  the 
naval  Worker  at  Philadelphia.  The  Ambulance 
Training  School  at  Allentown,  in  the  same  State,  was 
also  cared  for  by  an  authorized  Worker  and  the  needs 
of  Pittsburgh  were  likewise  provided  for.  The  marines 

81 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

stationed  at  Quantico,  Virginia,  and  Paris  Island, 
South  Carolina,  were  given  special  attention  at  the 
first  point  by  authorized  Workers  at  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia,  and  at  the  second  by  resident 
Workers.  At  Paris  Island  the  work  was  characterized 
by  an  especial  degree  of  cordiality  exhibited  by  the 
officials  in  charge,  and  was  so  greatly  appreciated  that 
an  effort  was  made  to  induce  the  Committee  to  estab- 
lish a  permanent  representative  there. 

The  service  rendered  to  the  submarine  fleet  at  New 
London,  Connecticut,  at  the  naval  base  at  Newport, 
Rhode  Island,  and  among  the  ships  that  visited  the 
harbor  at  Portland,  Maine,  was  of  a  somewhat  differ- 
ent character  from  that  performed  elsewhere,  and 
developed  qualities  in  the  Workers  which  proved  them 
to  be  versatile  as  well  as  willing  and  tireless. 

The  Workers  in  the  Quartermasters'  Training 
Camp  at  Jacksonville,  where  the  shining  white  sands 
of  the  St.  John  River  merged  into  the  deep  pine  forest 
of  the  mainland,  as  well  as  those  at  Key  West  and 
Pensacola,  proved  their  efficiency  during  long  seasons 
of  heat  and  epidemic. 

The  Wisconsin  Committee,  although  representing 
a  non-cantonment  state,  rendered  a  big  service  to  the 
families  and  friends  of  men  at  the  front  by  securing 
prompt  information  as  to  their  conditions  and  needs. 

The  work  in  the  spruce  camps  of  Oregon  was  pecul- 
iar to  that  state.  The  loggers  and  lumberjacks  felt 
the  hospitality  of  Christian  Science  out  in  the  deep 
woods  and  their  response  was  immediate  and  hearty. 
The  Christian  Science  Monitor  was  accepted  with 
eagerness  and  the  vest-pocket  Song  Book  with  enthu- 
siasm, for  under  the  leadership  of  our  Worker,  who 

82 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Room  near  Camp  Taylor,  Kentucky 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Rooms,  Des  Moines,  Iowa 


The  Rooms  in  Hohoken,  New  Jersey 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

was  a  musician,  these  children  of  the  woods  learned  to 
love  our  hymns  and  to  sing  them  with  great  feeling. 

Virtually  every  state  in  the  Union  maintained  a 
War  Relief  Committee  which  carried  on  its  functions 
in  a  thoroughly  satisfactory  manner  and  the  foregoing 
states  have  been  singled  out  for  special  mention  only 
because  the  work  within  their  borders  was  somewhat 
out  of  the  ordinary. 

In  this  general  survey,  mention  may  properly  be 
made  of  hospital  work  done  for  soldiers  and  sailors  at 
points  outside  of  the  larger  camps  and  cantonments, 
sometimes  by  regular  Workers  and  oftentimes  by 
volunteers.  As  indicative  of  the  method  employed  by 
the  men  and  women  who  participated  in  this  activity, 
the  following  letter,  written  by  one  of  them  in  Decem- 
ber of  1918,  is  cited. 

"Since  my  last  report  many  good  things  have  happened. 
Perhaps  the  most  prominent  in  my  thought  is  the  following: 
After  inoculation  with  serums  a  student  officer  was  stricken 
with  sickness.  He  was  mentally  deranged,  paralyzed  in  hands 
and  feet,  totally  blind  in  one  eye  and  nearly  so  in  the  other, 
and  had  set  the  day  to  die.  A  friend  had  recommended  Chris- 
tian Science  treatment  and  had  written  to  me  about  him.  The 
letter  was  received  after  the  patient  had  been  in  the  hospital 
two  days.  He  was  in  a  ward  for  the  insane.  The  doctor  did 
not  want  me  to  see  him  but  finally  consented. 

"Our  friend  listened  to  what  I  had  to  say  but  was  so  anx- 
ious to  have  some  letters  written  to  settle  insurance  and  busi- 
ness matters,  and  to  make  arrangements  for  his  burial,  that 
the  best  thing  I  knew  to  do  was  to  satisfy  him.  In  three  days 
he  was  going  to  die  and  he  wanted  his  worldly  affairs  attended 
to.  Soon  after  I  began  to  write  for  him  he  was  relieved  to 
such  an  extent  that  I  told  him  I  would  not  write  another  line. 
Reasons  for  this  action  were  given  to  which  he  readily 
assented.  I  told  him  that  he  had  sent  for  me  because  I  had 

83 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

something  for  him  which  no  one  around  there  knew  how  to 
give.  Others  could  write  his  letters  and  I  would  proceed  to  do 
the  good  I  knew  how  to  do.  To  this  he  agreed  and  what  had 
been  written  was  then  torn  up.  The  next  half  hour  was  spent 
in  telling  him  of  simple  truths  he  could  easily  understand. 

"Next  day  I  returned.  Our  friend  was  tremendously 
cheered.  In  civil  life  he  had  been  a  school-teacher  and  as  he 
could  not  read  now  I  asked  him  if  he  knew  'The  Ancient 
Mariner.'  Immediately  he  began  to  quote  it  with  spirit  and 
effect.  He  knew  little  of  Christian  Science  but  he  did  know 
'The  Ancient  Mariner.'  That  was  enough!  That  part  where 
the  Mariner  felt  a  little  love  in  his  heart  and  saw  that  all 
things  began  to  take  on  a  new  aspect  was  metaphysically 
explained  and  dwelt  upon.  From  that  moment  there  was  a 
'ladder  set  up  on  the  earth,  and  the  top  of  it  reached  to 
heaven :  and  behold  the  angels  of  God  ascending  and  descend- 
ing on  it.' 

"The  day  he  had  expected  to  die  he  was  moved  from  the 
insane  ward  to  one  for  nervous  troubles.  Here  the  doctor  was 
openly  hostile.  He  could  not  stop  me  from  visiting  but  he 
used  up  the  two-hour  period  as  much  as  he  could  by  having 
something  done  to  the  patient  during  that  time.  For  a  week 
this  doctor  and  others  had  a  new  experiment  to  try  each  day. 
One  day  it  was  to  be  an  operation  on  the  spine,  another  on 
the  head.  Always  he  or  others  were  intending  to  do  something 
for  the  patient  but  they  never  did,  although  our  friend  was 
taken  to  the  operating  room  twice  and  then  sent  back  for 
further  diagnosis.  Daily  the  case  appeared  different  to  the 
doctors,  so  that  what  would  be  decided  upon  for  the  follow- 
ing day,  the  patient  would  then  be  found  unsuited  for.  Things 
came  to  such  a  pass  that  it  required  higher  demonstration. 

"About  this  time  I  was  reading  Jacob's  experience  with 
Esau  at  the  ford  Jabbok.  It  was  evident  that  Jacob  had  to 
realize  the  metaphysical  concept  of  'brother'  or  meet  with 
certain  destruction.  After  that  famous  meeting  Esau  asked 
Jacob  a  question  and  he  answered,  'I  have  seen  thy  face,  as 

84 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

though  I  had  seen  the  face  of  God,  and  thou  wast  pleased 
with  me,'  and  that  reply  satisfied  each  brother.  This  fact 
held  my  attention  and  after  carefully  studying  the  situation 
I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  Jacob  had  seen  'brother'  as  the 
reflection  of  Principle — 'as  though  I  had  seen  the  face  of 
God,'  he  said.  I  must  therefore  think  of  'doctor'  in  the  same 
way,  and  I  did.  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  'hospital'  might 
represent  that  which  aids  men  to  be  well  and  whole,  and 
'doctor'  that  consciousness  which  knows  and  ministers  to 
every  man  as  a  brother. 

"About  this  time  a  miracle  seemed  to  happen.  I  did  not  go 
to  the  hospital  till  the  day  after  and  I  found  our  friend 
was  decidedly  improved.  He  and  another  patient  both  told 
the  same  thing  unknown  to  each  other.  In  substance  it  was 
this.  The  doctor  became  gentle  and  considerate  to  all  in  the 
ward.  There  was  a  marked  improvement  in  the  health  of  all 
the  patients.  For  a  week  I  went  to  see  our  friend  but  never 
met  the  doctor.  He  was  letting  my  patient  alone  except  to  be 
pleased  at  his  rapid  recovery.  At  the  end  of  the  week  this 
ward  had  sent  all  of  its  patients  to  the  convalescent  wards  or 
returned  them  to  their  organizations.  Also  my  friend  was 
active  in  all  his  functions,  perfectly  well  and  fit,  so  far  as  I 
could  see.  I  gave  him  my  post  office  address  with  the  request 
to  write  me  if  he  needed  me  again.  I  have  not  met  him  since 
but  am  informed  he  was  soon  after  discharged — a  well  man." 

With  such  healings  attending  the  efforts  of  the 
Workers,  it  was  little  wonder  that  the  usual  reluctance 
of  the  medical  practitioner  to  consent  to  the  presence 
of  Christian  Scientists  in  the  hospitals  was  somewhat 
modified.  This  greater  spirit  of  tolerance  was  mani- 
fested not  only  in  camps  and  training  areas,  but  in  the 
hospitals  in  and  near  the  large  cities  temporarily 
loaned  to  the  army  and  navy.  Volunteer  and  regular 
Workers  served  successfully  in  the  hospitals  of  Bos- 
ton, New  York,  Minneapolis,  Denver,  Chicago,  Wash- 

85 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ington,  Toronto  and  elsewhere.  Meanwhile  Workers 
regularly  stationed  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri; 
Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas;  Fort  McPherson,  Geor- 
gia; Fort  Sheridan,  Illinois,  and  the  shell  shock  and 
tuberculosis  hospitals  near  Asheville,  North  Carolina, 
were  reporting  interesting  cases  of  healing,  some  of 
which  are  recorded  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Having  given  the  reader  this  brief  outline  of  the 
Camp  Welfare  work  in  general,  we  now  proceed  to 
mention  in  more  detail  the  several  lines  of  activity 
which  characterized  the  work  everywhere.  For  conven- 
ience these  have  been  grouped  under  different  head- 
ings. The  first,  "Daily  Deeds,"  deals  with  the  most 
conspicuous  details  of  the  daily  routine  of  Camp  Wel- 
fare Workers.  The  second,  "Quiet  Resting  Places," 
gives  an  interesting  account  of  the  various  buildings 
and  rooms  operated  by  the  Committee.  The  third, 
"Our  Only  Preachers,"  tells  of  the  Christian  Science 
services  held  throughout  the  world  by  the  men  in  khaki 
and  blue.  The  fourth,  "He  Sent  His  Word,"  gives 
some  idea  of  what  was  accomplished  by  distribution  of 
Christian  Science  literature.  The  fifth,  "With  the 
Forces  Afloat,"  is  a  brief  story  of  what  was  done  for 
the  boys  of  the  navy. 


86 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 


DAILY  DEEDS 

A  recruit  sitting  near  a  Camp  Welfare  Worker 
one  day  suddenly  called  out: 

"What  line  are  you  in,  big  boy?" 

"I'm  not  in  the  army  line,  if  that's  what  you  mean." 

"Then  what  are  you  doing  out  here?"  persisted  the 
recruit. 

"I'm  a  Welfare  Worker." 

"Welfare  Worker,  what's  that?" 

"A  Welfare  Worker  is  a  man  who  hunts  for  sol- 
diers for  whom  he  can  do  favors."  A  long  silence  en- 
sued, then — 

"Whew!  You're  a  rare  bird." 

Helpfulness — this  was  the  keynote  of  our  Workers' 
efforts  in  the  camps.  They  made  the  welfare  or  well- 
being  of  the  enlisted  men  their  responsibility  and  as 
one  soldier  expressed  it,  "when  one  fares  well  by  the 
help  of  Christian  Science,  he  fares  well  in  every  phase 
of  his  being — mental,  moral  and  physical." 

Probably  nothing  will  indicate  better  the  variety 
of  service  performed  by  a  Camp  Welfare  Worker 
than  to  quote  from  the  report  of  one  who  describes  a 
typical  day's  work. 

"In  the  early  morning  the  Camp  Worker  awakens  with 
the  birds.  His  thought  reaches  out  for  more  spiritual  light 
as  he  gives  a  number  of  treatments  to  the  faithful  soldiers 
who  have  applied  for  help  and  who  are  so  earnestly  striving 
to  meet  their  strenuous  problems. 

"Later  he  finds  his  way  to  the  camp  to  deliver  the  Moni- 
tors and  other  parcels  from  the  Camp  Welfare  Committee, 
conscious  that  his  times  are  in  God's  hands,  and  that  each 
moment  will  bring  forth  fruitage. 

87 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"First,  he  inquires  of  the  railroad  representative  when 
the  next  troop  trains  will  leave,  that  he  may  distribute 
Monitors  on  them.  Then,  in  crossing  the  street  to  the  post 
office  for  his  mail,  he  is  approached  by  a  stranger — a  shy, 
diffident  country  boy  who  has  evidently  just  been  drafted 
and  who  has  a  letter  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  a  mile  or 
so  down  the  camp.  So  the  Worker  invites  him  to  get  into  the 
machine  and  they  start  for  the  Receiving  Office.  On  the  way 
there  he  makes  a  stop  at  the  Fire  Department  headquarters, 
where  twenty-five  Monitors  are  left.  Then  the  Receiving 
Station  is  reached,  where  the  young  patriot  is  to  be  initiated 
into  a  new  experience  and  gain  a  larger  vision  of  world 
events. 

"It  was  Love's  direction  to  perform  this  kindly  service  and 
to  give  a  few  words  of  loving  counsel,  which  seemed  greatly 
appreciated.  But  now,  in  its  own  way,  Love  seemed  to  halt 
all  activities  and  to  direct  the  Worker  to  take  time  to  read 
the  recent  Monitors  which  he  had  just  received  at  the  post 
office.  So,  quietly  and  leisurely,  in  the  face  of  many  things 
demanding  his  time,  he  drove  his  car  to  an  open  space 
near  by  the  receiving  tents  and  began  to  read  the  Monitor. 
Why  he  should  have  taken  even  this  twenty  minutes  in  the 
midst  of  an  overfull  day  of  duties  was  not  at  the  time  just 
clear  to  him,  but  since  he  felt  peaceful  about  it,  he  enjoyed 
the  recreation  and  feast  of  good  things  that  the  reading 
brought.  The  reason  for  this  pause,  however,  was  soon  made 
clear  when  presently,  an  officer,  seeing  the  lettering  on  the 
car,  stepped  up  to  the  machine  with  the  exclamation  that 
he  had  been  looking  for  the  Camp  Worker  for  several  days 
but  had  been  unable  to  find  him.  He  was  most  anxious  to 
obtain  a  vest-pocket  Science  and  Health  and  to  have  a 
conversation  along  metaphysical  lines.  Just  then  another 
young  man  approached  who  also  wanted  a  Science  and 
Health.  Then  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Worker  who  was  passing  by 
said,  'Haven't  you  got  one  of  those  little  books  to  give  me?' 
and  added,  'You  know  when  you  and  your  wife  first  came  to 

88 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

camp  I  wondered  how  you  had  ever  taken  up  with  such  a 
thing  as  I  thought  Christian  Science  to  be.  Then  I  watched 
you  and  your  work,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that  you  had  some- 
thing that  others  did  not  have,  and  the  first  thing  I  knew  I 
wished  I  could  know  something  more  about  Christian  Science 
from  the  standpoint  of  the  Christian  Scientist  himself.  I  read 
some  of  the  Monitors  that  I  found  in  the  hut,  and  then,  as 
you  will  remember,  I  had  an  hour's  talk  with  you  one  day. 
During  the  talk  a  burn  on  my  hand  was  healed,  and  now  I 
really  want  to  read  Science  and  Health.'  Then  followed 
another  talk  of  a  half  hour  or  so,  and  a  Science  and  Health 
was  given  to  the  Secretary,  who  proved  to  be  an  Episcopalian 
minister. 

"Starting  on  his  way,  the  Camp  Worker  remembered  that 
a  man  in  the  Fire  Station  a  block  away  had  inquired  for 
him,  so  this  was  the  next  call,  which  lasted  some  time,  and 
after  a  most  interesting  talk  another  Science  and  Health 
was  given  to  the  interested  beginner.  From  here  the  Worker 
went  to  the  barracks  to  deliver  Monitors  to  all  the  officers 
in  the  regiment. 

"After  this  he  sought  an  interview  with  a  certain  Colonel 
who  had  been  none  too  courteous  at  a  previous  call  when 
consent  had  been  given  to  distribute  the  Monitor  to  only 
fifteen  out  of  his  two  hundred  officers.  Good  work  had  been 
done  in  the  meantime  however,  and  thus  the  interview  was 
pleasant  and  profitable,  and  arrangements  were  made  to  send 
the  paper  daily  for  a  month  to  each  of  his  two  hundred 
officers.  Having  carefully  read  various  articles  in  the  Monitor 
the  hour  before,  the  Worker  was  able  to  point  out  to  the 
Colonel  the  vital  things  in  the  copies  which  he  showed  him. 

"It  was  noon  and  time  to  go  to  the  Hostess  House,  where 
the  Worker  was  to  take  lunch  with  four  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secre- 
taries, as  a  member  of  the  committee  for  making  plans  to 
take  a  religious  census  of  the  new  recruits.  It  was  a  source 
of  gratification  to  see  the  kindly  and  respectful  attitude  of 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Workers  towards  any  ideas  presented  by  the 

89 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Christian  Science  representative,  for  they  evidently  included 
him  as  one  of  them  and  recognized  no  mental  barriers. 

"From  here  a  call  was  made  at  the  base  hospital  to  see 
a  young  man  who,  materia  medica  had  said,  'had  slim 
chances.'  The  Worker  had  been  directed  to  this  young  man 
a  few  days  before  by  someone  who  had  been  interested  in 
him.  The  patient  was  not  a  Scientist  and  said  he  did  not 
think  he  cared  to  have  Science  treatment,  but  that  he  would 
like  the  Worker  to  call  again.  Today  he  met  the  Worker 
with  a  beaming  face  and  said,  'I  feel  like  a  different  man. 
Your  talk  the  other  day  almost  healed  me,  and  so  I  want  a 
copy  of  Science  and  Health  and  a  testament.  I  never  felt 
so  happy  before,  and  feel  sure  I  will  soon  be  out  of  the 
hospital.' 

"Several  other  calls  were  made  at  the  hospital  and  two 
copies  of  Science  and  Health  were  given  out.  Then  the  out- 
going troop  trains  were  visited  as  soon  as  they  were  located, 
and  the  Worker  placed  400  Monitors  on  them — Monitors 
which  had  been  left  over  from  his  daily  delivery  because  of 
a  delay  in  their  arrival,  so  that  eight  hundred  had  been  re- 
ceived on  this  day.  He  waited  until  the  troops  were  loaded 
and  the  trains  started.  As  the  men  waved  their  farewells 
many  had  the  Monitors  in  their  hands  and  others  were  read- 
ing them. 

"And  now  as  the  day  is  almost  over,  the  Worker  drives  over 
to  the  Welfare  Cottage  and  the  men  soon  begin  to  arrive  for 
an  evening's  visit — a  colonel,  a  lieutenant,  two  'non-coms' 
and  several  privates,  five  of  whom  desire  treatment.  While 
the  treatments  are  given  in  an  adjoining  room,  those  waiting 
visit  together  and  tell  of  the  blessings  that  Christian  Science 
has  brought  into  their  lives.  At  about  ten  thirty  they  begin  to 
leave.  Then  correspondence  and  records  are  attended  to  and 
the  work  for  the  next  day  considered.  Thus  ends  at  midnight 
one  of  the  happiest  days  of  the  Worker's  experience,  and  he 
thanks  God  for  His  goodness  to  the  sons  of  men." 

90 


A  War  Relief  Room  and  Automobile, 
Newport  News,  Virginia 


The  Fireplace  in  the  Building  at  Camp  Fremont, 
California 


An  arrangement  for  carrying  literature  in  automobile 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

When  one  realizes  that  an  army  cantonment  some- 
times covered  thousands  of  acres  of  ground  it  will 
readily  be  seen  that  the  Camp  Workers  had  to  be  pro- 
vided with  automobiles  in  order  to  cover  this  large 
territory,  to  distribute  literature  and  to  locate  men  in 
various  parts  of  the  camp.  At  one  time  the  Committee 
owned  as  many  as  sixty-nine  cars.  These  all  bore  in 
gold  letters  on  each  side  the  words,  "Christian  Science 
Camp  Welfare  Committee."  The  wisdom  of  marking 
the  cars  in  this  way  was  proved  again  and  again.  In 
one  instance  our  Worker  drove  past  a  group  of  men 
who  were  drilling.  One  remarked:  "There  goes  that 
Christian  Science  car.  You  know,  my  wife  has  been 
sick  for  a  long  time  and  can't  get  well.  Seeing  that 
name  makes  me  think  that  she  had  better  try  Christian 
Science."  His  neighbor  then  told  him  that  he  was  a 
Scientist  and  advised  him  to  ask  for  treatment  for  his 
wife,  later  lending  him  his  copy  of  Science  and 
Health. 

At  another  camp  our  Worker  left  his  car  in  front 
of  the  library  building,  and  returning,  found  a  soldier 
comfortably  seated  in  it.  The  lad  said  he  felt  at  home 
at  once  and  he  was  most  grateful  to  hear  of  the  Chris- 
tian Science  services  being  held  in  the  camp.  Our 
Worker  adds  that  this  soldier  was  the  first  one  to 
arrive  at  the  service  on  the  following  Sunday. 

In  one  of  his  reports  a  Worker  near  Washington, 
D.  C,  says: 

"Repeatedly  when  I  come  back  to  the  car  after  visiting 
the  barracks,  I  find  men  waiting  for  me  who  tell  me  they  are 
Christian  Scientists  and  were  attracted  by  the  sign.  Most  of 
them  are  men  who  have  recently  arrived  in  camp  and  did  not 
know  there  was  a  Worker.  Only  yesterday  I  stopped  the  car 
in  front  of  another  company  of  men  who  were  lined  up  on  one 

91 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

of  the  streets  of  Fort  Myer,  and  when  the  order  was  given  to 
dismiss,  four  of  them  walked  over  to  the  car.  Three  told  me 
they  were  Scientists  and  wanted  information,  the  other  stood 
for  a  moment  looking  at  the  sign.  After  a  moment  he  reached 
in  his  pocket  and  pulled  out  a  well-worn  pocket  edition  of  the 
textbook,  saying,  'I  wouldn't  take  a  hundred  dollars  for 
that.'  " 

Another  Worker  tells  the  following: 

"One  of  the  new  boys  just  from  Jefferson  Barracks  saw 
my  car  passing  and  whistled  the  shriek  of  a  lusty  youth  to 
call  my  attention.  I  could  not  locate  the  whistle  and  con- 
cluded it  was  not  for  me.  But  the  crowd  knew,  as  the  boy 
was  running  full  speed  to  catch  me,  and  by  calls  and  yells 
from  the  crowd,  I  was  stopped.  He  came  up  breathless  and 
panted  out :  'I  say,  but  I  am  glad  to  get  you !  I  want  a  Science 
and  Health  and  a  Monitor.  I  haven't  seen  either  for  a  week.'  " 

Many  and  various  were  the  uses  to  which  the  Camp 
Welfare  car  was  put.  On  one  occasion  the  Worker's 
car  was  picking  a  careful  way  over  a  bumpy  road. 
Two  women  were  walking  along  in  the  heat  and  the 
dust,  going  the  same  way.  A  cheerful  greeting  was 
called,  the  car  door  was  swung  invitingly  wide  and  the 
two,  with  grateful  words  and  smiles,  stepped  in.  One 
of  them,  the  camp  librarian,  with  an  apologetic  air, 
asked  the  Worker  if  he  were  going  to  a  camp  several 
miles  away  that  afternoon.  The  reply  was  affirmative. 
It  was  then  explained  that  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretary 
from  this  camp  had  asked  for  a  book  desired  by  an 
enlisted  man  who  came  to  his  building.  The  Worker 
readily  agreed  to  deliver  the  book.  When  he  entered 
the  "Y"  and  placed  the  book  on  the  counter  before 
the  Secretary,  the  latter  exclaimed,  "How  did  you 
know  I  wanted  that  book?"  The  case  was  explained 

92 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

and  the  Worker  said,  further,  "How  many  times  must 
I  tell  you  that  I  stand  ready  always  to  be  of  service?" 

"When  he  says  that,  he  means  it,"  spoke  up  a  "Y" 
man  standing  near,  whom  the  Worker  had  not  noticed 
before.  Turning  in  surprise,  the  Christian  Scientist 
saw  it  was  somebody  he  had  never  seen.  Noting  the 
interrogative  look,  the  "Y"  man  said:  "When  I  was 
stationed  at  one  of  the  camps  in  the  South,  whenever 
anybody  wanted  anything  done,  the  Christian  Science 
Camp  Welfare  Worker  was  the  man  they  got  to  do  it. 
That  man  was  always  going  somewhere  with  his  car 
full  of  something  or  somebody." 

Like  Paul,  in  his  epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  the 
Camp  Welfare  Worker  might  have  said  of  himself: 
"I  am  made  all  things  to  all  men,  that  I  might  by  all 
means  save  some."  His  car  was  known  from  one  end 
of  the  camp  to  the  other  as  one  of  the  few  cars  upon 
the  running  board  of  which  a  soldier  might  leap  at  any 
time  uninvited,  and  always  be  greeted  with  a  smile  and 
the  welcome  of  a  friend  of  long  standing. 

At  one  camp,  the  Worker's  car  came  in  with  a 
squad  that  had  been  left  to  guard  baggage  beside  a 
railroad  track  a  mile  or  two  away  from  the  barracks. 
Trucks  had  come  for  the  baggage  but  the  guard  had 
been  forgotten  and  was  just  starting  to  trudge  its  way 
to  its  tents,  when  discovered  by  the  Worker.  The  top 
of  the  car  was  taken  down,  the  soldiers'  full  packs  and 
rifles  and  other  equipment  were  piled  in  and  then  the 
squad  mounted  on  top  of  this.  They  were  taken  to 
their  encampment  area  in  the  car  instead  of  walking 
the  whole  way. 

Orderlies,  struggling  along  under  big  bags  of  home 
mail,  came,  in  one  camp  at  least,  to  look  for  the  car 

93 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

labeled,  "Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare  Commit- 
tee," for  it  meant  the  lifting  of  heavy  burdens  off 
their  shoulders  and  an  opportunity  to  find  rest  the 
remainder  of  the  way  to  headquarters. 

During  the  quarantine  period  in  another  camp, 
when  the  mail  accumulated  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  hostess 
house  and  there  was  nobody  available  to  keep  it  going 
to  the  post  office,  in  order  that  the  relatives  of  the  men 
might  know  how  they  were  faring,  the  Worker,  on  the 
way  for  his  own  mail,  would  stop  and  get  a  load  of 
soldiers'  mail,  and  take  it  to  the  office,  bringing  back 
the  mail  for  the  hostess  and  her  assistants. 

Again  the  Worker  found  time,  together  with  his 
own  great  amount  of  work,  to  take  the  parents  of 
men  in  the  hospital  from  the  railway  stations  to  the 
wards  where  their  boys  were  to  be  found.  Coming 
from  a  section  where  but  little  is  known  of  Christian 
Science  or  Christian  Scientists  these  relatives  and 
friends  have  had  reason  to  carry  away  a  friendly 
memory  of  the  Welfare  Worker.  Of  a  Worker  in  one 
of  the  camps  in  the  southeast,  an  officer  spoke  feel- 
ingly, "The  day  was  never  too  long  nor  the  night  too 
dark  for  him  to  do  anybody  a  good  turn." 

Says  another  Worker : 

"This  morning  as  we  drove  up  to  the  post  office  for  the 
mail,  an  army  officer  approached  the  car  and  asked  that  I 
drive  him  back  to  camp  after  some  important  papers  that  he 
had  left  behind.  I  did  so.  Later  when  we  arrived  at  the  head 
of  the  column  we  found  the  lads  strung  all  along  the  road, 
overtaxed  with  their  heavy  packs,  going  up  the  hill.  A  lieu- 
tenant doctor  and  I  worked  with  them  for  two  hours  carry- 
ing them  up  the  hill  and  down  to  the  boat  landing.  Most  of 
the  boys  that  fell  out  were  from  the  hospital.  I  made  six  trips 
and  then  came  back  after  the  packs.  A  hospital  ambulance 

94 


u 


S  Q 


S    bo 

c   S 

.a  2 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

made  four  trips.  The  officers  were  delighted  with  the  'lift'  and 
were  outspoken  in  their  praise  of  the  War  Relief  work." 

Says  another  Worker: 

"While  visiting  the  base  hospital,  a  telephone  message 
came  to  the  convalescent  building,  saying  that  two  of  the 
soldiers  who  were  to  have  been  taken  for  an  automobile  ride 
had  been  disappointed.  I  volunteered  to  take  them  out  in  our 
car.  The  boys  were  delighted.  One  of  them  had  never  seen 
Washington  before  and  was  much  pleased  with  the  White 
House,  Government  buildings,  the  beautiful  speedway  drive 
and  the  various  points  of  interest." 

The  automobile  proved  itself  useful  in  an  unusual 
way  during  a  sand  storm  in  Oklahoma.  Our  Worker 
had  called  to  help  the  boys  prepare  for  the  Sunday 
service.  The  storm  being  at  its  height,  it  was  impossible 
to  seek  the  usual  secluded  outdoor  nook.  The  men, 
however,  drove  the  car  near  an  observation  tower, 
placed  it  with  its  back  to  the  wind,  put  up  all  the  cur- 
tains and  found  the  interior  an  ideal  place  in  which  to 
study  the  lesson. 

On  one  occasion  at  least,  the  good  deeds  done  by  the 
camp  car  were  returned  in  kind.  Our  Worker,  upon 
visiting  a  patient  in  the  base  hospital,  found  him  in 
the  best  of  condition.  "How  do  you  get  around  the 
camp?"  asked  the  soldier.  The  Worker  answered  that 
he  had  a  Ford.  The  boy's  face  brightened,  as  he  said : 
"I  am  a  Ford  expert.  Let  me  fix  the  machine  when  it 
gets  out  of  repair."  This  was  his  way  of  expressing 
gratitude  for  benefits  received. 

Of  our  "Welfare  Fleet,"  which  was  the  grandiose 
designation  of  our  two  launches,  more  will  be  said  in 
the  chapter  devoted  to  work  in  the  navy. 

The  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  also 
maintained  a  Home  Service  Department,  although  it 

95 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

was  not  dignified  by  that  name,  nor  specifically  organ- 
ized for  that  purpose.  It  was  the  natural  outgrowth  of 
the  fact  that  the  men  in  the  camps  and  their  friends 
and  families  at  home  turned  to  Christian  Science  to 
smooth  out  all  the  difficulties  presented  by  the  war — 
and  they  were  many  and  various.  In  this  work  the 
main  office  in  Boston  was  naturally  the  clearing  house 
through  which  these  calls  for  help  were  sent  out,  to  be 
taken  care  of  by  workers  in  the  camps  or  overseas. 

For  example,  on  October  7,  1918,  a  telegram  was 
received  in  the  Boston  office  stating  that  a  young  man 
in  Camp  Eustis,  Virginia,  was  ill.  His  family  desired 
our  Worker  there  to  visit  him  and  report  to  them. 
Our  Committee  at  once  wired  the  Worker  in  Camp 
Eustis  and  in  a  day  or  so  he  reported  the  young  man 
as  being  practically  well  again.  This  message  was  at 
once  forwarded  to  the  uncle  who  had  sent  the  inquiry 
and  from  him  we  received  the  following  grateful 
reply: 

"My  wife  and  myself  wish  to  express  our  gratitude  for  the 
loving  help  that  was  extended  to  our  nephew  by  the  Welfare 
Worker  at  Camp  Eustis,  Virginia.  We  wired  you  on  October 
6  that  he  was  ill  and  asked  for  your  assistance  which  was 
promptly  given.  Our  nephew  has  expressed  to  us  his  delight 
in  receiving  the  pocket-size  Bible  which  completed  his  pocket 
equipment  for  study.  During  the  many  months  in  which  we 
have  been  contributing  to  the  Welfare  fund  we  did  not  realize 
how  close  to  home  the  Welfare  work  might  come  and  you  can 
therefore  appreciate  the  satisfaction  we  now  have,  in  knowing 
that  we  had  some  part  in  carrying  on  this  wonderful  work 
from  which  we  received  such  loving  cooperation  in  the  time  of 
need." 

This  service  was  not  limited  to  Christian  Scientists, 
of  course.  On  one  occasion  a  call  came  over  the  phone 

96 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

in  Boston  for  information  about  a  boy  who  was  ill  in 
Vancouver  Barracks,  Washington.  A  wire  to  our 
Worker  at  that  point  brought  the  following  response : 
"Private  B.  much  better.  Looking  forward  to  father's 
arrival."  The  Worker  later  wrote: 

"I  went  immediately  to  the  hospital  and  located  B.  in  one 
of  the  pneumonia  wards.  I  was  allowed  but  a  few  minutes' 
talk  with  him.  I  told  him  who  I  was  and  that  I  had  been 
requested  to  visit  him.  He  indicated  that  he  did  not  want 
Christian  Science  treatment  but  was  very  appreciative  and 
said  he  would  be  glad  to  see  me  again." 

The  relief  and  comfort  brought  at  such  times  to 
the  anxious  ones  at  home,  can  readily  be  imagined,  yet 
it  was  much  greater  in  the  case  of  those  having 
wounded  boys  in  France.  The  many  miles  which  sepa- 
rated them  from  their  loved  ones,  and  the  knowledge 
that  it  was  difficult,  if  not  impossible  to  receive  reports 
on  their  condition  until  sometimes  many  months  had 
passed,  made  the  efforts  of  our  committee  of  great 
service  to  the  "home  folks." 

When  a  case  which  seemed  urgent  was  reported  to 
the  Boston  office,  a  cable  was  dispatched  to  the  Paris 
headquarters  asking  that  the  boy  be  visited  in  person, 
if  this  was  possible,  or  helped  in  Christian  Science,  if 
this  was  desired,  or  a  report  secured  through  the  Gov- 
ernment Records.  Sometimes  the  reply  would  be  sur- 
prisingly prompt,  bringing  much  joy  to  the  families 
here.  Then  again  many  weeks  would  pass,  because  our 
Workers  in  France  found  the  records  in  such  a  chaotic 
condition  that  they  were  often  obliged  to  trace  the 
case  through  many  hospitals  or  camps. 

One  instance  will  serve  to  illustrate.  A  letter  was 
received  in  our  office  on  July  24,  1918,  stating  that  a 

97 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

certain  marine  had  been  gassed.  His  family,  who  were 
Scientists,  requested  treatment  for  him  if  he  desired  it 
and  also  deposited  ten  dollars  to  be  delivered  to  him 
with  a  copy  of  the  vest-pocket  textbook.  On  August 
14  we  were  able  to  telegraph  his  family  that  our  Paris 
office  had  cabled  his  condition  as  much  improved.  A 
letter  which  followed  in  due  course  said  that  a 
sergeant,  a  Christian  Scientist,  in  this  boy's  own 
company,  had  been  put  in  touch  with  him,  that  he 
had  received  his  money  and  the  textbook  and  was 
improving. 

At  another  time  when  help  was  requested  for  a 
seriously  wounded  soldier,  on  November  1,  1918,  our 
Paris  office  reported  on  November  15  that  he  was 
receiving  treatment  and  was  doing  well. 

Our  Committee  in  England  likewise  gave  us  loving 
cooperation  in  such  cases.  In  reply  to  a  cable  sent 
them  about  a  man  in  an  English  hospital,  they  cabled 
that  he  was  improving,  following  their  report  by  a 
letter  which  read : 

"On  receipt  of  your  cable  asking  that  Private  T.  should  be 
visited  at  Bethnal  Green  Hospital,  we  got  in  touch  with  a 
practitioner  who  went  at  once  to  see  him,  and  found  that  he 
had  been  badly  wounded  in  the  arm  and  was  most  anxious  to 
see  a  Christian  Scientist.  Treatment  was  given  him,  and  he 
wrote  next  day  saying  that  there  was  great  improvement  and 
that  he  felt  much  encouraged  and  supported  through  the 
loving  thought  of  the  committee  in  Boston,  which  had  been 
instrumental  in  meeting  his  need." 

Literally  hundreds  of  calls  of  such  a  nature  came 
to  our  Committee,  and  as  our  faithful  workers  proved 
so  helpful  in  securing  the  information  desired,  the 
volume  of  the  work  increased  proportionately.  Very 
many  requests  came  from  those  who  were  not  Chris- 

98 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

tian  Scientists  and  these  received  the  same  attention 
as  the  others. 

The  demands  were  not  always  to  locate  wounded 
men — they  were  as  multifarious  as  human  needs.  One 
which  was  constantly  recurring  was  to  get  word  to 
boys  overseas  that  their  families  were  writing  regu- 
larly, or  to  send  word  to  the  same  boys  that  no  letters 
had  been  received.  An  interesting  example  of  the 
former  was  a  request  sent  us  by  a  lady  in  Texas  to 
inform  her  brother  in  England,  who  had  been  abroad 
some  five  months  without  news  from  home,  that  his 
family  were  all  well  and  were  writing  regularly.  This 
letter  was  forwarded  to  our  English  Committee  and 
of  the  result  the  boy's  own  letter  will  speak : 

"Dear  Mother  and  all:  I  heard  from  home  today.  It  was 
not  through  a  letter  but  through  a  lady  who  approached  me 
on  the  street  in  Liverpool.  She  asked  me  my  name  and  said 
she  had  a  message  for  me  from  home  and  told  me  you  were 
all  well.  She  said  she  was  a  Christian  Scientist.  It  sure  made 
me  feel  happy." 

One  other  service  rendered  to  the  men  should  be 
mentioned — that  of  delivering  money  through  our 
overseas  offices.  Friends  in  this  country  deposited 
money  at  a  War  Relief  office  in  this  country  and  our 
Paris  office  delivered  the  amount  requested  to  the  boy 
in  France.  Sometimes  the  many  moves  made  by  the 
men  over  there  made  it  very  difficult  to  reach  them. 
Again  the  man  was  very  promptly  located.  For  exam- 
ple, $50  was  sent  to  the  Boston  office  on  September 
25,  1918,  to  be  cabled  to  a  boy  then  in  France.  A 
letter  from  our  Paris  office  dated  October  22  stated 
that  the  check  had  been  received  and  acknowledged  by 
the  boy  in  question.  In  several  instances,  also,  our 

99 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

overseas  office  was  able  to  advance  money  to  men  in 
France,  which  was  refunded  by  the  parents  in  this 
country  or  by  the  boys  themselves  upon  their  return. 
In  such  a  case  as  this  latter,  our  Worker  at  Camp 
Lewis  recently  sent  us  a  check  amounting  to  $192.30 
loaned  by  our  Paris  office  to  a  lieutenant  then  in 
France.  Our  Worker  writes : 

"Lieutenant  B.  expressed  a  great  deal  of  gratitude  for  the 
favor  shown  him  and  said  he  was  going  home  to  tell  all  he 
came  in  contact  with,  of  the  many  blessings  that  had  come 
to  him,  during  his  service,  through  Christian  Science." 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  or  even  to  call  to  memory 
the  many  kinds  of  service  rendered  to  the  men  in  uni- 
form. Some  of  the  demands  made  upon  the  committee 
were  ludicrous,  some  were  tragic;  some  were  joyous, 
some  were  sad;  some  were  easy  of  fulfilment,  some 
were  difficult,  but  a  sincere  effort  was  always  made  to 
meet  the  need,  for  the  Christian  Science  Workers 
were  constantly  striving,  in  the  words  of  Isaiah,  "to 
undo  the  heavy  burdens,  and  to  let  the  oppressed  go 
free." 


100 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 


"QUIET  RESTING  PLACES" 

Very  early  in  the  establishment  of  the  Camp  Wel- 
fare work  it  became  evident  that  some  sort  of  build- 
ing was  needed  in  each  camp  as  a  headquarters  for  the 
Christian  Scientists.  The  men  felt  the  need  of  a  quiet 
retreat  to  which  they  could  come  for  study  and  spirit- 
ual refreshment  and  where  they  could  meet  the 
Worker  to  talk  over  the  problems  which  military  life 
presented.  Moreover,  it  was  necessary  to  provide  a 
room  where  our  services  could  be  held  regularly  and 
where  the  literature  could  be  obtained  and  sent  forth 
for  distribution. 

Simple  and  homelike  in  structure,  cozily  furnished, 
with  flower  boxes  at  the  windows  and  "Welcome" 
over  the  door,  the  Christian  Science  Buildings  have 
been  a  refuge  not  only  to  young  soldiers  but  to  the 
stranger,  the  chaplain,  the  nurses  and  relatives  of  boys 
in  need.  Christian  Scientists  know,  however,  that 
these  buildings,  no  matter  how  attractive,  could  never 
of  themselves  have  met  the  heart's  great  need.  It  was 
the  conscious  realization  of  the  presence  of  divine 
Love,  its  protecting  Fatherhood  and  Motherhood, 
which  created  the  loving  atmosphere  that  attracts, 
uplifts  and  comforts.  Many  a  heartsick  boy  having 
come  to  the  War  Relief  Building  and  having  found 
there  a  touch  of  humanity,  came  later  on  to  find 
Divinity, — seeking  a  quiet,  homey  place,  he  found 
also  healing  and  courage. 

With  the  consent  and  approval  of  the  Commanding 
Officers,  buildings  were  erected  for  the  use  of  Chris- 
tian Scientists,  or  rooms  were  designated  by  the  Gov- 
ernment for  their  occupancy,  in  or  near  the  following 

101 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

camps:  McClellan,  Alabama;  Sheridan,  Alabama; 
Pike,  Arkansas;  Kearny,  California;  Fremont,  Cali- 
fornia; Hancock,  Georgia;  Wheeler,  Georgia;  Mer- 
ritt,  New  Jersey;  Mills,  New  York;  Jackson,  South 
Carolina ;  Bowie,  Texas ;  Lewis,  Washington. 

In  addition,  tents  were  maintained,  in  some  cases 
being  provided  by  the  Government,  at:  San  Pedro, 
California;  Camp  Beauregard,  Louisiana;  Pelham 
Bay,  New  York;  Commack,  Long  Island,  New  York; 
Camp  Greene,  North  Carolina;  Paris  Island,  South 
Carolina;  Ellington  Field,  Texas;  Camp  Logan, 
Texas. 

At  Camp  McClellan,  Alabama,  part  of  a  Govern- 
ment building  was  made  available  to  our  Committee. 
It  was  fitted  up  in  an  attractive  manner  and  made  to 
appear  homelike.  At  Camp  Sheridan  the  Committee 
originally  used  a  room  which  was  practically  within 
the  camp.  We  later  built  a  small  structure  just  outside 
the  camp  at  a  cost  of  $877.  It  was  a  simple  frame 
building  with  a  large  porch  across  the  front,  fitted  up 
in  the  interior  as  a  combined  reading  and  writing 
room.  In  Camp  Pike,  Arkansas,  the  Government 
placed  part  of  a  building  at  the  disposal  of  our 
Worker. 

The  building  at  Camp  Kearny,  California,  was 
designed  for  our  own  use  and  built  by  us  at  a  cost  of 
$2200.  It  contained  a  reading  room,  storeroom  and 
rest  room  for  the  men  and  office,  bedroom  and 
shower  for  the  Camp  Worker.  There  were  two  cozy 
corners  in  the  reading  room  with  easy-chairs,  and 
twelve  reading  desks  with  plain  oak  chairs  to  accom- 
modate forty  soldiers.  It  was  not  the  original  plan  to 
paint  the  building  but  some  of  the  soldiers  volunteered 
to  do  the  work  if  the  material  was  provided.  This  was 

102 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

done,  the  interior  presenting  a  very  restful  and  pleas- 
ing appearance  in  a  shade  of  gray  with  window  frames 
harmoniously  contrasted.  Drapery  for  the  windows 
was  furnished  and  two  soldiers  put  it  in  place.  A  "Y" 
Secretary  who  visited  the  rooms  soon  after,  said, 
"You  people  have  a  knack  of  always  expressing 
beauty  and  art  in  everything  you  do,  no  matter  how 
inexpensive  it  may  be." 

At  Camp  Fremont,  California,  a  beautiful  build- 
ing was  also  constructed  by  the  Committee,  costing 
$3045.  It  was  of  the  bungalow  type,  in  a  setting  of 
trees,  and  among  other  attractive  features  contained 
a  great  fireplace. 

A  large  tent  within  Camp  Hancock,  Georgia,  was 
the  original  center  of  Christian  Science  activities  in 
that  cantonment  but  later  a  very  fine  building  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  $3265.  This  edifice  looked  much 
like  the  other  camp  buildings  without,  but  its  interior 
was  most  tasteful  and  comfortable.  There  was  a 
large  living  room,  adaptable  either  for  reading  or 
writing  or  for  religious  services.  This  opened  into  a 
smaller  room  used  as  a  private  office  and  in  addition 
the  resident  workers  had  comfortable  living  quarters. 
Bright  colored  curtains  at  the  windows,  plants  and 
flowers  here  and  there,  and  a  pretty  vase  or  candle- 
stick contributed  the  necessary  home  touches. 

In  Camp  Wheeler,  Georgia,  the  Government  gave 
us  the  use  of  a  building  known  to  the  boys  as  "the 
little  cottage  by  the  lake."  It  was  surrounded  by  a 
wide  veranda  and  stood  in  a  wooded  patch  on  the  edge 
of  a  little  lake. 

The  building  erected  by  the  Committee  at  Camp 
Merritt,  New  Jersey,  was  the  most  commodious  and 
expensive  of  all  those  owned  by  us.  Merritt  was  pos- 

103 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

sibly  the  largest  embarkation  camp  in  the  United 
States,  thousands  of  troops  passing  through  it  daily 
on  their  way  overseas,  and  as  many  on  their  return 
trip.  For  this  reason  it  was  deemed  right  and  neces- 
sary to  have  a  building  adequate  to  meet  this  need. 
The  first  building  at  Camp  Merritt  was  a  small  port- 
able cottage  which  stood  on  "Inspiration  Point"  just 
outside  of  Picket  No.  4.  It  commanded  a  beautiful 
view  of  the  surrounding  countryside,  standing  on  the 
main  thoroughfare  at  the  top  of  the  hill.  Along  this 
road  and  down  this  hill  all  the  troops  passed  on  their 
way  to  the  trains  which  carried  them  to  the  waiting 
transports.  This  small  cottage  was  soon  seen  to  be 
entirely  inadequate  and  plans  were  laid  for  a  fine 
structure  which  ultimately  cost  in  excess  of  $10,000. 
A  bulletin  of  the  New  Jersey  State  Committee  de- 
scribes the  building  as  follows : 

"It  is  a  one-story  frame  structure,  50  by  30  feet,  with 
broad  piazzas  on  two  sides.  The  piazza  facing  Madison  Ave- 
nue is  protected  from  the  street  by  a  natural  screen  of  white 
birch  trees,  while  the  one  on  the  eastern  side  commands  a 
beautiful  view  of  the  Palisades. 

"The  original  temporary  room,  which  was  the  first  of  the 
Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare  rooms  to  be  established,  has 
been  moved  back  upon  the  lot  and  is  used  as  a  practitioner's 
office.  On  a  line  with  the  new  building,  and  facing  it  as  it  does, 
it  reminds  one  of  the  proverbial  grain  of  mustard  seed  look- 
ing out  upon  its  own  large  branch.  Both  buildings  are  painted 
white  with  green  trim,  and  have  attractive  window  boxes 
filled  with  flowers. 

"There  are  two  main  rooms  in  the  new  building,  an  office 
or  reception  room  and  a  larger  room  for  reading  and  writing. 
These  are  connected  by  glass  doors  capable  of  folding  to 
permit  the  two  to  be  made  into  one  large  room,  for  services 
or  lectures,  as  the  occasion  may  require.  The  inside  walls  are 

104 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

of  beaver-board,  painted  a  yellow  ivory  color,  with  the  wood 
of  a  lighter  shade,  giving  an  agreeable  effect  of  warmth  and 
light.  A  large  stone  fireplace  is  one  of  the  attractive  features 
of  the  reception  room.  Four  double  French  doors  open  on  to 
the  piazza  through  which  the  men  can  enjoy  a  view  of  the 
Palisades,  as  they  sit  at  service,  or  in  quiet  thought,  remind- 
ing many  of  the  Psalmist's  words,  'I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes 
unto  the  hills,  from  whence  cometh  my  help.' 

"The  furnishings  consist  of  individual  writing  desks 
stained  mahogany  color,  large  tables,  davenports  and  chairs 
of  wicker.  A  piano  was  loaned  by  two  Christian  Scientists, 
and  it  is  an  inspiring  sight  to  see  our  men  in  uniform  stand- 
ing around  it  singing  hymns  after  the  evening  service. 

"One  of  the  most  interesting  features  connected  with  the 
building,  which  occasioned  much  favorable  comment,  was  the 
installation  of  twelve  drinking  fountains  of  iced  water  in  a 
stone  wall  along  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  the  building.  There 
is  a  large  tank  inside  this  wall  containing  twelve  coils  of  pipe 
fifty  feet  each  in  length,  through  which  the  water  flows, 
emerging  upon  the  surface  from  faucets  known  as  bubblers, 
upon  pressure  of  the  buttons  connected  with  the  faucets. 
The  water  in  these  coils  is  chilled  by  ice  with  which  the  tanks 
are  kept  supplied.  In  this  way,  twelve  soldiers  at  a  time  may 
obtain  a  cool  and  refreshing  drink. 

"The  way  in  which  this  method  was  discovered  is  very 
interesting.  The  idea  having  occurred  to  one  of  the  Com- 
mittee, in  trying  to  work  it  out,  he  found  that  the  necessary 
equipment  for  the  purpose  could  only  be  secured  from  a  firm 
dealing  in  bar  fixtures.  The  proprietor  of  this  firm  remarked 
the  day  after  receiving  the  order:  'I  could  hardly  sleep  last 
night  for  thinking  of  your  idea  of  using  this  cooling  appara- 
tus for  the  purpose  of  water  fountains.  It  has  never  been 
used  before  except  for  beer,  and  with  prohibition  coming,  I 
have  been  worried  about  my  business  and  this  has  suggested 
to  me  a  new  avenue  of  work.'  This  incident  in  connection  with 
the  fountains  has  led  to  their  being  called  the  'replacement 

105 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

draught,'  and  is  the  second  instance  whereby  the  course  of 
our  work  has  led  to  the  replacement  of  a  destructive  concept 
by  a  constructive  one,  the  Welfare  Room  at  Hoboken  having 
formerly  been  a  bar  room. 

"The  following  letter  from  General  S.,  in  command  of  the 
camps  in  our  State,  shows  how  much  these  fountains  are 
appreciated : 

"  *My  attention  has  recently  been  called  to  an  excellent  and 
very  serviceable  drinking  fountain  established  in  front  of 
your  Welfare  House.  This  fountain  with  its  unusual  facili- 
ties is  a  most  welcome  addition  to  the  camp  and  I  desire  to 
thank  you  for  the  thoughtfulness  which  prompted  its  instal- 
lation.' " 

At  Camp  Mills,  New  York,  a  building  was  erected 
by  the  Committee  at  a  cost  of  $1850.  It  was  located 
within  the  camp,  being  on  the  main  thoroughfare.  It 
was  20  by  40  feet  with  an  8-foot  screened  and  lighted 
porch  the  full  length  of  the  40-foot  side,  being  divided 
into  a  large  Welfare  room,  with  practitioner's  office 
and  sleeping  accommodations  at  one  end.  It  was 
painted  white  with  green  trimmings,  and  had  awnings 
and  screens  for  comfort  during  the  summer.  The  fur- 
niture was  soft-toned  brown  reed,  upholstered  in  blue 
and  brown  chintz,  the  curtains  and  hangings  being  of 
the  same  material.  Through  the  generous  cooperation 
of  a  member  of  a  local  church,  trees  were  planted,  a 
lawn  prepared  and  a  rustic  fence  put  in  place. 

The  Committee  also  erected  and  owned  a  building 
in  Camp  Jackson,  South  Carolina,  costing  $2175. 
The  following  item  from  a  letter  of  the  Worker  at 
Camp  Jackson  is  of  unusual  interest  in  connection 
with  this  building: 

"On  Monday,  April  29,  1918,  the  foundation  was  put  in 
for  our  Camp  Welfare  Building  at  Camp  Jackson.  In  the 

106 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

evening  a  few  of  our  boys  on  short  notice,  together  with 
Camp  Worker  and  Welfare  Building  Attendant,  held  a  little 
service  on  a  lumber  pile,  using  passages  from  the  Bible  and 
Science  and  Health  as  found  on  page  17  of  The  First  Church 
of  Christ,  Scientist  and  Miscellany,  used  at  the  laying  of  the 
corner  stone  of  the  Extension  of  The  Mother  Church." 

This  building  had  a  very  beautiful  setting  among 
the  pine  trees  and  one  of  its  features  was  a  long 
screened-in  porch  on  which  were  tables  supplied  with 
Christian  Science  literature  and  writing  material.  It 
contained  a  fine  large  living  room  with  a  fireplace  at 
one  end. 

At  Camp  Bowie,  Texas,  the  Committee  was  able  to 
purchase,  at  a  cost  of  $1418,  a  large  structure  intended 
for  a  restaurant.  Government  regulations  did  not  per- 
mit the  owner  to  maintain  it  within  the  camp  zone  and 
he  was  very  glad  to  turn  it  over  to  our  Committee.  It 
was  a  two-story  building  with  a  large  auditorium, 
writing  room  and  Worker's  office  on  the  first  floor  and 
comfortable  living  accommodations  on  the  second. 

At  Camp  Lewis,  Washington,  there  were  large 
numbers  of  Scientists  in  training.  To  meet  their  need 
for  a  quiet  place  in  which  to  study  the  lesson,  two 
tents  were  first  set  up  in  a  grove  of  trees  a  mile  from 
the  cantonment.  Keen  with  interest  in  all  that  con- 
cerned the  War  Relief  activities  and  grateful  for  the 
good  received  therefrom,  some  forty  Christian  Science 
soldiers  banded  together  and  within  ten  days  built  a 
small  cottage  on  property  that  had  been  secured  for 
the  future  use  of  the  Welfare  Work.  This  they  called 
home  and  every  nook  and  corner  was  dear  to  them. 
Many  of  those  who  had  hitherto  spent  their  week-ends 
in  the  city,  whiling  away  the  time  in  worthless  amuse- 
ments, now  came  in  to  read  and  study  to  their  profit. 

107 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

As  this  cottage  was  very  soon  outgrown,  a  larger  per- 
manent building  was  erected  on  the  same  piece  of 
property  at  a  cost  of  $6120,  the  original  house  serving 
as  Worker's  quarters.  The  new  building  was  a  beauti- 
ful one,  in  the  bungalow  style,  having  a  large  fireplace 
at  one  end  of  a  spacious  room  used  for  a  reading  room 
and  for  the  church  services.  There  was  also  a  fully 
equipped  writing  room,  as  well  as  private  rooms  for 
quiet  talks  with  boys  who  came  for  treatment.  The 
entire  building  was  very  tastefully  furnished,  and  sup- 
plied the  atmosphere  of  "home,  sweet  home,"  as  one 
of  the  boys  remarked  when  he  first  entered  it.  This 
building  has  since  been  given  by  the  War  Relief  Com- 
mittee to  the  Christian  Science  Churches  and  Societies 
of  the  Northwest  and  is  now  operated  by  them. 

Besides  the  buildings  which  have  just  been  men- 
tioned, the  Committee  maintained  Welfare  rooms  in 
towns  adjoining  camps  or  training  stations  and  in 
most  of  the  larger  cities.  Fine,  well-furnished  rooms 
were  in  operation  in  San  Francisco,  San  Diego,  Chi- 
cago, Indianapolis,  Des  Moines,  Baltimore,  Boston, 
Minneapolis,  New  York,  Columbus,  Cleveland,  Cin- 
cinnati, Portland,  Philadelphia,  Galveston  and  Seat- 
tle, to  mention  only  those  in  the  United  States. 

In  most  cases  the  smaller  rooms  opened  in  towns 
near  the  camps  were  far  from  attractive  to  the  eye, 
at  least  on  the  outside,  but  in  every  one  the  interior 
was  transformed  for  our  purpose.  Light  and  cleanli- 
ness were  prime  essentials  and  to  these,  through  the 
loving  thought  of  the  Workers  and  attendants, 
homey  touches  were  added  which  went  far  toward 
making  these  little  rooms  the  home  which  the  hearts 
of  the  boys  in  service  were  yearning  for.  Sometimes 
it  was  bright  cretonne  curtains;  sometimes  an  easy- 

108 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

chair  or  a  comfortable  couch;  again  it  was  a  water 
cooler,  or  again  a  spray  of  flowers.  Each  appealed  to 
a  different  need. 

In  one  of  the  rooms  a  soldier  sat  writing  a  letter 
home.  When  he  had  finished  he  came  over  to  the 
attendant,  saying,  "Would  you  like  to  see  what  I  have 
written  home  about  these  rooms?"  He  had  drawn  an 
elaborate  plan,  showing  every  piece  of  furniture,  and 
had  covered  two  pages  with  praise  of  the  attractive- 
ness of  the  room.  Every  detail  was  mentioned,  the  soft 
shaded  lights,  the  flowers,  especially  the  hyacinth 
plant  "which  gives  the  room  a  delightfully  scented 
atmosphere,"  the  "grand  comfortable  chairs"  and  the 
"hand-painted  Italian  lamp  shade."  The  "very  cozy 
look"  and  the  air  of  "quiet  seclusion"  were  commented 
upon  and  the  description  concluded,  "Both  rooms  are 
charming — so  restful  and  helpful  for  reading  and  for 
writing." 

To  these  bronzed  and  hardened  soldiers,  the  beau- 
tiful meant  more  than  one  might  suspect.  On  the  day 
before  Easter  an  exquisite  white  lily  was  placed  in  one 
of  our  rooms  and  shortly  after  it  arrived  a  soldier 
came  in.  As  soon  as  he  saw  the  lily,  a  look  of  satisfac- 
tion came  into  his  face  and  he  exclaimed :  "I  just  knew 
you  would  have  one.  I  kept  thinking  about  it  this 
morning  when  I  was  working  and  could  hardly  wait 
to  get  down.  I  knew  I  would  not  be  disappointed." 
A  Worker  in  Washington  state  writes : 

"Beauty  and  order  in  the  Welfare  room  in  the  Seamen's 
Barracks  (Bremerton,  Washington)  brought  fruitage  today. 
A  fine  looking  sailor  lad  came  in  just  as  the  Worker  arrived 
and  said  he  had  started  to  come  into  the  room  because  it  was 
the  only  place  where  he  saw  any  flowers  and  lie  liked  to  write 
there  on  that  account,  but  now  wanted  to  read  the  literature, 

109 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

and  while  the  Worker  was  about  he  remained  reading  the 
Journal." 

On  the  reading  tables  of  the  buildings  and  rooms 
were  always  to  be  found  a  complete  set  of  our  Lead- 
er's works,  together  with  all  the  authorized  Christian 
Science  literature.  To  many  a  Science  lad  the  familiar 
covers  of  these  books  in  themselves  suggested  home 
and  peace.  In  most  of  the  rooms  were  hung  photo- 
graphs of  Mrs.  Eddy  and  of  The  Mother  Church,  and 
the  "Mother"  thought  which  reached  out  to  meet  the 
needs  of  the  men  in  service  has  led  many  a  grateful 
one  to  membership  in  the  church. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  rooms  and 
buildings  maintained  by  the  War  Relief  Committee: 


UNITED 

Alabama : 

Camp  McClellan 
Camp  Sheridan 

Arkansas  : 

Camp  Pike 

Little  Rock 
California  : 

San  Francisco  (Presidio) 

San  Diego 

Camp  Kearny 

Camp  Fremont 
Connecticut: 

New  London 
District  of  Columbia: 

Washington 
Florida: 

Key  West 
Georgia: 

Atlanta  (Camp  Gordon) 

11 


STATES 

Augusta 

Camp  Hancock 

Camp  Wheeler 
Illinois  : 

North  Chicago  (Great 
Lakes  Naval  Training 
Station) 

Rockford  (Camp  Grant) 

Chicago 
Indiana  : 

Indianapolis 
Iowa  : 

Des  Moines 

Camp  Dodge 
Kansas  : 

Army  City  (Camp  Fun- 
ston) 

Junction  City 
Kentucky: 

Camp  Taylor 
0 


War  Relief  Room,  512  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City 


A  Corner  of  the  Rooms  in  the  Little  Building, 
Boston,  Massachusetts 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 


Louisiana  : 

Oklahoma : 

Alexandria 

Lawton  (Camp  Doniphan 

Camp  Beaurfegard 

and  Fort  Sill) 

Maryland  : 

Oregon : 

Baltimore   (Camps   Meade 

Portland 

and  Holabird) 

Pennsylvania  : 

Massachusetts  : 

Gettysburg  (Camp  Colt) 

Ayer  (Camp  Devens) 

Pittsburgh 

Boston 

Philadelphia 

Minnesota  : 

South  Carolina  : 

Minneapolis 

Spartanburg  (  Camp  Wads- 

Mississippi  : 

Hattiesburg  (Camp 

worth) 
Greenville  (Camp  Sevier) 
Charleston 

Shelby) 

Camp  Jackson 

New  Hampshire  : 

Tennessee  : 

Portsmouth 

Chattanooga 

New  Jersey: 

(Camp  Greenleaf  and  Fort 

Hoboken 

Oglethorpe) 

Camp  Dix 

Texas  : 

Camp  Merritt 

Galveston 

New  Mexico  : 

Camp  Bowie 

Deming  (Camp  Cody) 

Virginia  : 

New  York  : 

Newport  News 

New  York  City 

Norfolk 

Camp  Mills 

Hampton 

Ohio: 

Petersburg  (Camp  Lee) 

Columbus 

Washington  : 

Cleveland 

Seattle 

Cincinnati 

Bremerton 

Port  Clinton 

Port  Townsend 

Chillicothe 

Vancouver 

Camp  Sherman 

Camp  Lewis 

111 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 


CANADA 

Toronto 

Vancouver 

Winnipeg 

FRANCE 

Paris 

Nevers 

Bordeaux 

Le  Mans 

St.  Nazaire 

Romorantin 

Brest 

Nantes 

Langres 

Tours 

GREAT  BRITAIN  AND  IRELAND 

Aldershot 

Glasgow 

Bedford 

Inverness 

Belfast 

London 

Bexhill 

Liverpool 

Blandford 

Newcastle 

Brighton 

Plymouth 

Buxton 

Portsmouth 

Chatham 

Reading 

Colchester 

Rip  on 

Dover 

Sea ford 

Dublin 

Tunb ridge  Wells 

Edinburgh 

In  addition  to  the  rooms,  buildings  and  tents  pre- 
viously mentioned  there  were  many  important  mili- 
tary and  naval  points  where  the  Committee  main- 
tained a  regular  Worker  who  gave  his  entire  time  to 
the  needs  of  the  men  and  who  supervised  Christian 
Science  services  held  at  these  camps.  Besides  this,  there 
were  innumerable  other  places  where  volunteer  work- 
ers saw  to  it  that  the  men  were  not  neglected  and 
where  Christian  Science  literature  was  sent  in  abun- 
dance. 

The  following  list  contains  the  more  important 

112 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

points  where  regular  Workers  were  established,  al- 
though there  was  no  War  Relief  Room  or  Building. 


Alabama  : 
Mobile 

Colorado : 
Fort  Logan 

Florida  : 

Camp  Joseph  E.  Johnston 
Pensacola 

Indiana  : 

Fort  Benjamin  Harrison 

Kansas  : 

Fort  Leavenworth 

Michigan  : 
Detroit 
Camp  Custer 

Missouri  : 

Jefferson  Barracks 


New  Hampshire: 

Portsmouth  Navy  Yard 
New  York  : 

Camp  Upton 
North  Carolina  : 

Asheville 

Rhode  Island: 
Newport 

Texas  : 

Love  Field 
Camp  Dick 
Camp  McArthur 
Fort  Bliss 
Kelly  Fields 
Border  Camps 

Virginia  : 
Quantico 
Camp  Humphreys 


These  buildings  and  Welfare  rooms  were  used  for 
many  different  purposes.  They  served  as  reading 
rooms,  and  were  always  equipped  with  desks  and 
writing  materials.  They  became  the  rendezvous  in 
which  the  home  folks  were  able  to  meet  their  boys  in 
the  service.  Many  a  jolly  group  has  gathered  in  one 
of  our  buildings  or  rooms  for  a  chat  and  sometimes 
there  have  been  pop-corn  parties  or  other  festivities 
at  holiday  times. 

Many  needs  of  differing  character  were  cared  for 
in  these  rooms.  Within  these  quiet  retreats  many  a  boy 

113 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

caught  his  first  real  glimpse  of  God's  goodness,  and 
many  were  restored  to  health  while  reading  or  study- 
ing here.  Sometimes  on  a  Worker's  couch  a  physical 
difficulty  was  mastered  and  a  visit  to  the  camp  hospital 
made  unnecessary.  The  rooms  often  echoed  with  the 
voices  of  strong  young  manhood  raised  in  hymns  of 
praise  at  our  Sunday  services  or  in  grateful  testimony 
at  the  midweek  meetings.  What  these  rooms  meant  to 
the  men  can  probably  best  be  told  in  their  own  words. 
A  sergeant  Q.  M.  C.  writes: 

"To  be  able  to  visit  the  rooms  (at  Newport  News,  Virginia) 
almost  daily  has  been  a  privilege  that  I  have  more  than 
enjoyed.  Not  only  have  I  been  able  to  read  and  study  but 
also  enjoy  seeing  others  benefit  from  the  great  love  that  is 
extended  to  all  who  visit  these  rooms." 

From  a  private  at  Camp  Sheridan,  Alabama: 
"This  reading  room  has  been  my  first  resort  and  it  comes 
in  very  handy  just  at  present  as  I  have  no  light  in  my  tent." 

A  private  in  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces 
says: 

"I  take  this  opportunity  of  thanking  you  for  your  kind- 
ness and  also  for  the  Welfare  House  (Camp  Jackson,  South 
Carolina).  It  certainly  was  an  inspiration  to  us.  The  Welfare 
House  was  truly  an  oasis  in  the  desert — where  one  found 
refuge  and  succor  from  the  many  doubts  and  fears  of  mortal 
existence.  'Divine  Love  always  has  met  and  always  will  meet 
every  human  need'  (Science  and  Health,  page  494).  Many 
times  did  I  go  to  the  Welfare  House  depressed  and  with  a 
heavy  heart  and  came  away  refreshed  and  in  a  buoyant 
mood." 

Sometimes  the  boys'  enjoyment  of  the  rooms  took 
an  amusing  turn  as  shown  by  the  following  from  our 
Worker  at  Camp  Cody,  New  Mexico : 

114 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

"Within  two  hours  after  I  had  placed  our  sign  in  the 
window  four  new  men  came  in.  They  had  arrived  from 
El  Paso  that  morning  in  a  sandstorm.  One  of  them  picked 
up  a  Monitor  and  read  the  entire  time  he  was  here,  another 
wrote  letters,  a  third  chatted  with  me,  and  the  fourth  just 
rocked.  He  said  it  was  the  first  chair  he  had  sat  in  since  he 
entered  the  army  and  I  have  never  seen  anyone  enjoy  a  chair 
so  much." 

Very  often  appreciation  for  our  rooms  has  been 
expressed  by  persons  who  were  not  Christian  Scien- 
tists. A  colonel  at  a  port  of  embarkation  writes  as 
follows : 

"I  desire  to  express  to  you  my  personal  appreciation  of 
the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  rooms  at  this  port. 

"While  I  am  not  a  Christian  Scientist  yet  I  am  interested 
in  the  work  and  I  have  always  found  there  a  cordial  welcome 
and  an  atmosphere  of  refinement  and  culture,  and  when  I 
sought  information  on  the  teachings  of  Christian  Science, 
it  was  given  so  tactfully  and  with  such  convincing  logic  that 
it  has  caused  me  to  look  upon  Christian  Science  in  a  most 
favorable  light. 

"Your  rooms  here  serve  a  purpose  that  cannot  be  fulfilled 
by  any  other  Welfare  organization  and  I  congratulate  you 
on  the  good  permanent  work  that  is  being  done." 

A  captain  at  Camp  Wheeler,  Georgia,  says : 

"It  has  been  made  plain  to  me  that  the  scope  of  your  work 
here  is  not  confined  to  the  members  of  your  faith,  but  instead, 
is  extended  cordially  to  all.  The  restful  aspect  of  the  reading 
room  especially  appeals  to  me  and  the  undersigned  is  in 
possession  of  information  to  the  effect  that  this  place  has 
proved  a  great  blessing  to  many  who  visit  it." 

In  connection  with  the  buildings  and  rooms  main- 
tained by  this  Committee,  a  word  must  also  be  said 

115 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

about  the  Christian  Science  Welfare  houses  or 
hostels,  of  which  there  were  two,  one  in  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  one  in  London,  England.  The  latter  will 
be  described  in  the  chapter  devoted  to  the  work  in 
England.  The  one  in  Washington  was  located  at  1222 
Pennsylvania  Avenue.  It  was  started  by  a  group  of 
Christian  Scientists  in  Washington  who  rented  an 
old  hotel  and  converted  it  into  a  clean,  comfortable 
and  attractive  lodging  house  where  from  fifty-five  to 
sixty  boys  could  be  accommodated  at  fifty  cents  each 
a  night.  The  War  Relief  Committee  rented  the  entire 
ground  floor  of  this  building,  furnishing  several 
spacious  reading  and  writing  rooms  and  offices  and 
providing  attendants  and  workers  for  them.  The 
stories  of  the  interesting  little  depots  maintained  in 
France  and  England  properly  find  their  place  in  the 
chapters  devoted  to  those  countries. 


116 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 
'OUR  ONLY  PREACHERS" 

(Christian  Science  Quarterly) 

On  page  91  of  "Retrospection  and  Introspection," 
Mrs.  Eddy  says: 

"When  he  was  with  them,  a  fishing-boat  became  a  sanctu- 
ary, and  the  solitude  was  peopled  with  holy  messages  from 
the  All-Father.  The  grove  became  his  class-room,  and 
nature's  haunts  were  the  Messiah's  university." 

The  Christian  Scientist  in  civilian  life  is  inexpres- 
sibly grateful  for  his  church  services  but  he  may  not 
fully  realize  the  extent  of  the  blessings  they  bring 
him  until  situated  where  he  is  obliged  to  do  without 
them.  Such  was  the  case  of  the  Science  soldiers  during 
the  early  days  of  the  war  before  the  Welfare  work 
was  organized.  Their  invariable  statement  was,  "We 
never  guessed  what  it  would  mean  to  be  deprived  of 
attending  our  church."  Taken  by  the  hundreds  from 
their  families  and  places  of  business,  hurried  off  to 
training  camps  and  there  put  through  a  strict  regime 
of  military  discipline,  which  became  more  and  more 
rigid  as  the  time  for  going  overseas  approached,  it 
was  realized  that  the  spiritual  needs  of  these  young 
Christian  Scientists  must  be  cared  for,  since  none  of 
the  religious  agencies  recognized  by  the  Government 
provided  for  them.  Many  of  the  camps  were  in  sec- 
tions of  the  country  where  there  were  no  Christian 
Science  churches  and  no  registered  practitioners. 
Others  were  miles  from  cities  or  towns  where 
churches  were  available,  and  the  means  of  transporta- 
tion were  limited  and  expensive  for  the  soldier  with 
his  usually  meager  pay. 

117 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

In  this  deprivation  of  church  services  many  of  the 
Science  boys  sought  the  quiet  of  the  woods  or  camp 
libraries  to  read  the  lesson-sermons  by  themselves,  or 
if,  perchance,  they  were  fortunate  enough  to  meet 
other  Science  boys,  two  or  three  would  gather 
together  in  His  name  and  hold  informal  meetings. 
This  was  possible  of  course,  because,  as  the  notice  in 
our  Quarterly  puts  it,  "The  Bible  and  the  Christian 
Science  textbook  are  our  only  preachers."  With  these 
books  in  their  hands,  earnest  Christian  Scientists 
never  need  miss  a  church  service.  A  lad  from  Florida 
writes  as  follows  of  one  which  he  conducted : 

"I  held  a  service  all  by  myself  yesterday  out  on  the  banks 
of  the  St.  John  River,  reading  from  the  Quarterly  and  sing- 
ing the  hymns  from  the  Hymnal.  I  even  took  up  a  collection 
of  thankfulness  which  I  am  sending  to  The  Mother  Church." 

Conditions  in  the  training  camps  indicated  clearly 
what  would  be  faced  by  the  men  when  in  camp  or  at 
the  front  in  Europe.  Therefore  the  soldier  Scientist 
must  be  shown  that  he  need  not  lean  upon  civilians  or 
any  civilian  organization  in  order  to  attain  the  spir- 
itual comfort  and  sustenance  which  the  Christian 
Science  service  would  mean  to  him.  He  must  be  edu- 
cated to  grasp  the  fact  of  his  sole  dependence  upon 
God  and  his  independence  of  material  surroundings. 
Therefore,  the  Camp  Welfare  Workers  were  sent 
forth  with  instructions  to  train  the  young  Scientists  to 
stand  on  their  own  feet  where  services  were  concerned, 
to  prepare  them  for  possibly  greater  isolation  later 
across  the  Atlantic. 

It  was  often  in  some  such  simple  way  as  the  follow- 
ing that  services  were  started : 

"Yesterday  when  the  Worker  drove  up  to  the  *Y'  eight 

118 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

boys,  each  from  a  different  part  of  the  country,  came  up  to 
the  machine  and  asked  us  to  read  the  lesson.  We  went  out 
in  the  shade  in  a  quiet  spot  and  ten  of  us  had  a  fine  service. 
We  shall  be  organized  by  next  Sunday,  I'm  sure." 

Shortly  after  the  same  Worker  wrote : 

"Our  services  at  9 :  30  a.m.  Sunday  are  splendid  and  the 
boys  are  delighted.  I  hear  them  talking  about  'our  services.' 
We  have  a  room  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  hut  but  while  the  weather 
is  so  warm,  we  are  meeting  out  of  doors.  One  boy  wrote  home 
that  we  had  the  finest  lighted  and  best  ventilated  church  in 
the  world." 

Before  a  room  was  secured  for  their  use  about 
seventeen  Christian  Scientists  gathered  in  the  Na- 
tional Cemetery  at  historic  Gettysburg  and  went  over 
the  lesson.  Later  these  men  of  the  Tank  Corps  held 
a  regular  service  in  their  own  room,  which  a  visitor 
described  as  very  impressive  and  earnest. 

The  meetings  in  camps  were  held  in  various  places : 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  huts,  Jewish  Welfare  buildings,  camp 
theaters,  gymnasium  halls,  mess  halls,  tents  and  often 
under  the  most  unusual  conditions. 

In  the  larger  camps  and  training  stations  where 
the  men  stayed  sometimes  for  several  months,  a  simple 
organization  was  usually  formed.  In  one  camp,  when 
the  Worker  called  the  men  together,  they  chose, 
without  any  preparation  save  silent  prayer  for  guid- 
ance, a  board  of  directors  consisting  of  a  major,  a 
captain,  a  lieutenant,  a  sergeant  and  a  private.  This 
board  each  month  chose  two  readers  to  serve  for 
the  ensuing  monthly  period,  the  First  Reader  a  com- 
missioned officer  and  the  Second  Reader  an  enlisted 
man.  The  Worker  was  then  given  the  names  of  the 
new  readers,  the  Bible  and  the  textbook  were  placed 

119 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

in  his  hands  and  he  was  asked  to  notify  the  men  who 
had  been  chosen  and  request  them  to  be  prepared  to 
read  the  next  Sunday  and  continue  to  do  so  until  their 
term  of  service  was  up. 

This  plan  proved  admirably  efficient  in  its  work- 
ings, until  departure  for  overseas  drew  near.  Then,  as 
nobody  knew  which  organization  would  leave  first  or 
whether  either  of  the  regularly  chosen  readers  would 
be  able  to  be  present  for  the  next  meeting,  every 
Christian  Scientist  participating  in  the  work  in  the 
camp  came  to  service  prepared  to  substitute  for  one 
or  the  other  of  the  readers.  The  Worker  in  this  camp, 
because  so  much  of  the  responsibility  for  the  work 
was  assumed  by  the  men  themselves  (in  line  with  the 
Committee's  plan),  laughingly  referred  to  himself  as 
merely  an  "errand  boy"  for  the  soldier  Scientists. 

In  other  camps  the  readers  were  chosen  direct  by 
the  congregation,  to  serve  for  varying  lengths  of  time. 

In  one  case  the  readers  were  made  a  committee  to 
obtain  a  place  for  holding  services,  which  were  an- 
nounced to  start  the  following  Sunday.  A  mess  hall 
not  then  in  use  was  found  available.  The  Second 
Reader,  a  handy  man  with  tools,  constructed  two 
readers'  desks,  and  on  the  Saturday  preceding  the 
first  service,  drove  the  truck  which  brought  firewood 
to  the  building  and  swung  the  axe  which  cut  the  wood 
for  the  fire  that  made  the  hall  more  comfortable. 
Never  were  hymns  sung  with  more  fervor,  nor  the 
reading  of  the  lesson-sermon  listened  to  with  closer 
attention  than  by  these  earnest  young  soldiers. 

The  men  showed  their  keen  interest  and  love  for 
these  simple  services,  oftentimes  making  distinct 
sacrifices  to  be  present.  Soldier  readers  have  been 
known  to  forego  furloughs  in  order  to  be  at  their  post 

120 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

in  camp  on  Sunday.  One  boy,  who  was  an  attendant 
in  the  hospital,  working  all  night,  curtailed  his  sleep 
in  order  to  attend  the  morning  service.  On  another 
occasion  twenty-four  men  came  in  a  drenching  rain, 
two  of  them  omitting  their  breakfast  in  order  to  arrive 
on  time.  One  boy  made  a  special  trip  to  a  Wednesday 
evening  meeting  to  testify  to  the  healing  of  an  ulcer- 
ated tooth.  He  was  on  duty  until  late  and  ran  so 
hard  that  he  could  hardly  talk  when  he  arrived,  but 
he  was  determined  to  speak. 

There  were  times  even  in  camps  in  this  country 
when  our  boys  found  themselves  without  a  room  in 
which  to  assemble.  In  one  such  instance,  a  little  group 
of  men  went  down  to  a  clump  of  trees  near  a  railroad 
track,  piled  railroad  ties  against  two  saplings  to  make 
a  desk,  the  readers  hung  their  hats  in  the  trees,  the 
congregation  sat  on  other  ties  and  the  service  began. 
It  was  a  wonderful  day,  with  the  blue  sky  overhead, 
the  sun  only  an  hour  high,  and  the  birds,  the  blossoms 
and  the  trees  adding  their  pagans  of  praise  to  the 
hymns  that  arose  from  the  little  grove.  That  service, 
in  its  earnestness  and  spiritual  fervor,  made  a  lasting 
impression  on  all  who  participated. 

At  the  time  the  epidemic  of  fear  (alias  influenza) 
appeared  in  the  camps,  in  many  instances  the  assem- 
bling of  the  men  in  large  groups  was  forbidden,  espe- 
cially indoors.  The  Christian  Scientists  were  obedient 
wherever  this  ruling  was  made,  but  small  groups 
would  assemble  and  go  over  the  lesson  in  the  open  air 
somewhere  about  their  camp.  In  one  instance  a  group 
of  six  assembled  at  a  big  woodpile,  found  seats,  chose 
readers  and  put  into  the  service  every  bit  of  mental 
energy  they  could  command.  And  why  not  ?  The  sub- 
ject was,  "Are  Sin,  Disease  and  Death  Real?"  All 

121 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

about  them  in  the  camp  were  those  who  feared  these 
false  beliefs  and  it  was  the  Christian  Scientists'  earnest 
desire  to  heal,  not  only  themselves,  but  all  concerned, 
of  this  fear.  They  sang  the  hymns,  listened  to  a  Scrip- 
tural reading,  had  silent  prayer  and  applied  them- 
selves closely  to  the  study  of  the  lesson-sermon.  In 
another  instance,  a  coal-pile  served  as  the  setting  for 
a  service. 

Primitive  as  were  the  surroundings  at  these  simple 
gatherings,  they  never  failed  to  draw  eager  audiences. 
One  Worker  tells  of  an  overflowing  room  with 
sailors  sitting  on  tables  and  radiators  earnestly  listen- 
ing to  the  service.  That  not  even  quiet  could  be 
counted  upon  will  be  seen  from  a  Worker's  account 
of  a  service  in  Texas : 

"We  had  a  very  splendid  service  at  Travis  this  morning, 
there  being  ten  soldiers  present.  The  thing  that  impressed 
me  was  the  earnestness  of  these  boys,  as  there  was  nothing 
but  the  lesson  to  attract  them  to  this  bare  corner  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  One  could  look  out  of  a  window  and  see  a  crowd 
of  boys  on  a  platform  receiving  instructions  in  boxing;  from 
another  window  one  saw  a  couple  of  privates  beating  up  a 
week's  accumulation  of  tin  cans ;  off  in  the  distance  a  band 
could  be  heard  playing  and  inside  the  'Y'  proper  a  piano  was 
being  beaten,  followed  by  a  chorus  from  a  crowd  of  lusty 
soldiers." 

Sometimes  there  was  the  most  hearty  cooperation 
on  the  part  of  welfare  workers  of  other  religious 
organizations  to  provide  a  comfortable  room  for  our 
meetings.  One  of  our  Workers  mentions  the  fact  that 
a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  secretary  placed  a  large  vase  of  flowers 
on  the  readers'  table  shortly  before  the  service,  re- 
marking that  they  would  brighten  the  room  a  bit. 

At  a  port  of  embarkation  where  the  services  were 

122 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

held  in  the  Jewish  Welfare  Board's  quarters,  the  field 
representative  of  the  latter  organization,  when  a  more 
pretentious  home  was  erected,  had  special  provision 
made  for  the  Christian  Science  soldiers  to  hold  their 
services  there.  One  end  of  the  auditorium  was  arranged 
to  be  partitioned  off  with  folding  doors.  The  first 
Wednesday  evening  meeting  following  the  raising  of 
the  camp  quarantine,  however,  was  held  in  the  cozy 
reception  room  of  this  building,  before  the  fireplace, 
a  Jewish  secretary  at  the  desk  waving  all  other  callers 
to  a  side  door  opening  into  the  auditorium,  in  order 
that  the  service  might  not  be  disturbed.  A  week  or  so 
later  the  other  room  was  used  and  it  was  thronged 
with  men  eager  to  give  and  hear  testimonials.  The 
room  was  partly  filled  with  wicker  furniture,  still 
swaddled  in  wrapping  paper,  but  the  men  perched 
around  wherever  they  could  find  resting  places. 

A  word  must  also  be  said  of  the  services  conducted 
in  stockade  or  prison  camps  and  in  hospitals.  Of  the 
latter  our  Worker  at  Camp  Fremont  sends  an  inter- 
esting description : 

"Seven  men  from  Fremont,  including  the  organist  and 
soloist,  went  with  us  and  acted  as  ushers,  giving  each  man 
who  came  in  a  Quarterly  and  a  little  Song  Book.  While  we 
had  provided  what  we  considered  a  generous  number  of 
Quarterlies  and  Song  Books,  we,  in  fact,  had  only  about  half 
enough  to  go  around. 

"The  Chapel  was  practically  filled,  there  being  only  about 
fifteen  vacant  seats.  Several  men  came  in  wheel  chairs,  some 
on  crutches,  some  with  their  arms  held  up  by  braces,  and  all 
clothed  in  the  hospital  garb  of  pajamas  and  bathrobes. 
Aside  from  one  nurse,  one  enlisted  man  who  is  a  clerk  at  the 
hospital,  the  six  civilians  who  made  up  our  party,  and  the 
seven  boys  who  went  from  Camp  Fremont  to  usher,  every 

123 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

man  present  was  a  patient  in  the  hospital, — in  all  about  one 
hundred  and  ten. 

"Most  of  them,  doubtless,  had  never  attended  a  Christian 
Science  service  or  even  read  Christian  Science  literature,  yet 
they  were  very  attentive  and  entered  into  the  singing  with  a 
splendid  spirit,  and  throughout  the  entire  service  there  was 
no  disturbance  whatsoever." 

At  Camp  Jackson,  as  elsewhere,  our  Worker  was 
requested  by  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  stockade  to 
conduct  a  Christian  Science  service.  This  was  ar- 
ranged for  and  the  lesson  read  the  first  time  to  about 
twenty  prisoners. 

In  a  German  prison  camp  in  Tennessee  some  forty 
prisoners  of  war  had  been  conducting  a  service  in 
German  until  the  visit  of  a  Camp  Welfare  Worker. 
Thereafter  it  was  read  in  English  and  in  a  most  credit- 
able manner. 

Nothing  has  yet  been  said  of  the  meetings  held  in 
literally  hundreds  of  places  where  there  was  no  Camp 
Worker  to  supervise  and  where  the  men  themselves 
took  the  entire  responsibility  for  the  conduct  of  the 
services.  In  this  country  they  were  sometimes  brought 
together  through  the  activity  of  a  visiting  Worker. 
In  the  border  camps  in  Texas,  for  instance,  this  was 
done  in  a  number  of  cases.  One  man  who  was  desig- 
nated as  a  "soldier  worker"  wrote  the  following 
interesting  letter: 

"A  few  days  ago  I  received  a  copy  of  Science  and  Health, 
a  Manual  of  The  Mother  Church  and  a  Bible,  direct  from 
the  Camp  Welfare  Committee  in  Boston.  I  take  this  oppor- 
tunity to  convey  to  you  the  thanks  of  a  number  of  boys  in 
this  camp  who  are  interested  in  Christian  Science.  With  the 
kind  help  of  a  Camp  Welfare  Worker  we  have  been  able  to 
come  together  and  are  now  holding  Christian  Science  services 

124 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

every  Sunday,  for  which  privilege  we  are  all  very  grateful. 
The  above  books  have  come  just  in  time  to  meet  a  need  that 
was  beginning  to  make  itself  felt. 

"We  are  also  very  grateful  for  the  plentiful  supply  of 
Christian  Science  literature  provided  for  us  through  the 
work  of  the  Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare  Committee  for 
Texas.  The  Monitor  is  especially  appreciated  by  many  of 
the  boys  who  are  not  interested  in  Christian  Science,  as  this 
paper  always  contains  only  reliable  news." 

Another  reports  on  a  service  as  follows : 

"Yes,  we  held  our  first  service  last  night  (Sunday)  and  it 
was  a  good  one  too  for  we  held  it  in  the  stables  near  J.'s 
shack,  just  four  of  us." 

From  another  point  in  Texas  comes  this : 

"Four  soldiers  in  the  quarantine  barracks  of  the  depot 
brigade  read  the  lesson  together.  When  they  found  that  they 
could  not  get  through  the  lines  to  attend  the  regular  services 
at  camp  they  got  together  and  held  a  service  of  their  own." 

The  result  of  this  training  in  camps  in  this  country 
was  made  manifest  as  the  time  drew  nearer  for  the 
passage  of  troops  overseas.  At  the  ports  of  embarka- 
tion the  Workers  met  dozens  of  men  who  had  served 
as  readers  at  the  various  camps  throughout  the 
country  and  each  of  them  felt  a  sense  of  responsibility 
in  seeing  that  the  work  was  carried  on  when  the  troops 
arrived  in  Europe.  Quarterlies  and  little  hymnals 
were  asked  for  and  provided  in  order  that  the  services 
might  be  conducted  on  the  transports  going  over. 

One  soldier  writes : 

"Upon  my  arrival  in  my  final  training  camp  I  made  in- 
quiries as  to  whether  there  were  any  Scientists  or  no.  I  was 
told  there  were  none.  I  made  up  my  mind  to  take  my  stand, 

125 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

so  at  my  first  opportunity  I  had  published  a  notice  of  Chris- 
tian Science  meetings  in  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  hut.  Can  you  imagine 
my  feelings  to  have  waiting  for  me  Sunday  morning  at  10 :  15, 
thirty-two  men  who  had  come  through  a  drenching  rain  to 
attend  our  little  service?  We  have  held  our  service  every 
Sunday  since  then  and  the  average  attendance  has  far  ex- 
ceeded that  of  the  first  Sunday.  I  have  given  copies  of  the 
Bible,  Science  and  Health  and  Quarterly  to  over  fifty  boys. 
Many  new  men  are  becoming  interested  since  the  meetings 
started. 

"By  the  way,  a  regular  religious  meeting  is  held  every 
Tuesday  evening  at  which  chaplains,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretaries, 
K.  of  C,  Red  Cross,  and  Christian  Scientists  plan  their 
program  for  the  following  Sunday.  I  am  always  invited  to 
be  present  and  our  notice  goes  out  with  the  rest,  officially 
stamped.  Christian  Science  is  always  spoken  of  very  kindly." 

One  boy  who  had  formerly  been  First  Reader  at 
Camp  Logan  writes  from  France : 

"We  have  held  services  right  along  and  the  last  one  was 
in  a  dugout  six  feet  long  and  four  feet  high.  We  sat  there, 
legs  all  tangled  up  and  I  read  Science  and  Health  while 
another  sergeant  read  from  the  Bible.  After  that  I  read  a 
clipping  from  the  Sentinel  about  the  protection  afforded  a 
British  soldier  through  the  study  of  Christian  Science.  Then 
we  went  to  sleep  and  were  awakened  by  a  shell  'strafe'  and 
gas  attack.  We  came  through  in  good  shape  as  always." 

Another  writes : 

"We  haven't  missed  holding  a  Sunday  service  yet  and 
things  will  have  to  be  pretty  hot  before  we  fail  to  do  so.  We 
held  two  services  on  the  ship  on  the  way  over.  The  first 
Sunday  we  were  on  the  very  top  deck  in  a  lifeboat.  We  did 
not  pick  that  out  as  a  spot  for  refuge  or  protection  but 
because  it  had  seats  in  it.  The  second  Sunday  we  experienced 
progress  as  is  only  natural  and  to  be  expected.  We  were 

126 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

given  permission  to  use  the  dining  room  or  officers'  mess. 
There  we  found  a  piano  and  we  had  a  boy  who  could  play 
our  hymns  as  well  as  I  ever  heard  them  played.  I  acted  as 
First  Reader  and  Sergeant  X.  as  Second  and  we  had  a  fine 
meeting.  The  first  Sunday  out  two  other  sergeants  did  the 
reading.  We  had  about  fifteen  present.  Wasn't  that  fine? 

"We  are  holding  services  over  here  near  a  hospital  and 
most  of  our  audiences  are  made  up  of  wounded  men  who  are 
dressed  in  bathrobes  and  hobble  in  on  crutches.  They  sure 
do  love  our  meetings  and  it  is  great  for  us  boys  to  do  our 
part  in  reading  the  lesson-sermons  and  in  carrying  on  the 
meetings." 

From  somewhere  else  in  France  a  soldier  writes : 

"Many  thanks  for  the  Quarterlies.  We  were  hoping  for 
some.  We  started  a  little  service  with  six  present,  held  in  a 
tent.  A  fine  service  it  was  too.  The  following  Sunday  two 
more  were  added.  We  have  written  to  Paris  for  information 
as  to  the  proper  way  to  conduct  the  services.  I  am  so  grateful 
for  these  meetings  and  for  the  friendship  of  these  boys." 

Another  writes: 

"We  had  a  very  nice  little  service  on  the  ship  coming  over. 
Six  of  us  got  together  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  man's  cabin  and 
held  it  there.  Had  everything  but  the  hymn  and  the  solo  and 
were  all  so  grateful  for  the  privilege  of  holding  this  service 
in  the  middle  of  the  sea." 

From  the  same  soldier  a  little  later : 

"We  had  a  very  nice  meeting  today  in  a  little  village.  Went 
out  into  the  woods  and  read  the  lesson  and  had  prayer  and 
the  closing  parts  of  the  service.  Had  eight  or  ten  present." 

From  Santo  Domingo  a  marine  writes: 

"I  was  greatly  in  need  of  the  books,  as  we  boys  have 
started  to  hold  meetings  every   Sunday  morning  and   the 

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CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

attendance  has  become  so  large  that  it  was  impossible  to  get 
along  with  one  book.  We  are  getting  along  fine  now,  and  in 
all  the  attendance  at  each  meeting  is  generally  about  twenty- 
five.  Among  the  twenty-five  there  are  seven  English-speaking 
Spaniards  who  seem  to  have  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the 
study." 

From  Egypt  a  British  soldier  sends  the  following: 

"Last  night  I  attended  a  testimony  meeting  which  was 
held  in  Mr.  A.'s  rooms  in  Alexandria,  Egypt.  There  were 
about  thirty  people  present  and  many  beautiful  testimonies 
were  given." 

A  lieutenant  in  France,  stationed  well  up  near  the 
front  lines,  tells  this  interesting  story: 

"When  I  returned  to  Gondrecourt  the  problem  solved 
itself.  I  found  three  of  my  sergeant  assistant  instructors 
were  Scientists,  also  one  Y.  M.  C.  A.  lady  permanently  on 
duty  and  one  passing  through.  We  all  got  together,  met  no 
opposition  at  all,  published  notices  of  meetings,  and  held 
nearly  every  Sunday  morning  an  informal  service,  at  which 
Mrs.  R.  and  I  acted  as  Second  and  First  Readers,  following 
the  order  of  our  regular  service  in  an  informal  manner.  We 
never  had  the  same  personnel  there  at  every  meeting  but  we 
always  had  about  twelve  present.  The  spirit  and  joy  ex- 
pressed by  those  who  had  just  returned  from  the  lines,  all 
dirty  with  mud,  some  slightly  shocked,  according  to  material 
sense,  cannot  be  described.  Many  had  lost  their  books  in  the 
fight  and  were  able  to  get  others,  for  we  always  had  literature 
from  the  War  Relief  Committee  to  distribute  at  these 
meetings. 

"In  addition  we  had  a  few  Wednesday  evening  testimonial 
meetings.  These  could  not  be  held  regularly  because  of  the 
school  hours.  The  testimonies  were  very  vivid  and  interesting 
and  would  leave  no  doubt  in  one's  mind  of  the  practicality  of 
Christian  Science  under  the  most  extreme  test." 

128 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

Through  the  activity  of  a  sergeant,  Christian 
Science  services  were  regularly  held  at  Angers, 
France.  One  of  the  War  Relief  Workers  who  had  the 
privilege  of  attending  a  Wednesday  evening  meeting 
there,  describes  it  as  follows : 

"It  was  a  memorable  service,  with  workbenches  for  pews 
and  a  soap  box  with  a  square  board  laid  across  the  top  for 
a  desk;  but  the  atmosphere  was  indeed  worthy  of  The  Mother 
Church.  The  remembrance  of  the  willing  mind,  obedience, 
dignity,  poise,  and  gratitude  of  that  service  will  long  be 
treasured  by  those  having  the  good  fortune  to  be  present. 
This  is  the  first  testimonial  meeting  ever  attended  where 
everyone  gave  a  testimony.  There  were  no  pauses  and  no 
difficulty  in  occupying  the  entire  hour  and  certainly  every- 
one was  refreshed  with  heavenly  manna." 

In  one  of  the  most  beautiful  spots  in  France  on  the 
Riviera  close  to  the  Italian  border,  lies  the  little  town 
of  Menton,  which  was  opened  by  the  United  States 
Government  last  December  as  a  leave  area.  The 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  leased  the  beautiful  and  spacious  Munici- 
pal Casino  where  a  force  of  thirty-five  secretaries 
entertained  an  average  of  two  thousand  men  weekly. 

Among  the  secretaries  were  four  girls  who  were 
Christian  Scientists  and  who  met  together  whenever 
possible,  reading  the  lesson  and  seeking  spiritual  guid- 
ance for  their  problems.  Several  other  secretaries, 
seeing  the  way  seeming  difficulties  were  overcome  by 
these  girls,  and.  remarking  at  the  ability  of  those  who 
were  Scientists  to  stand  up  under  work  that  to  them 
was  taxing  and  difficult,  asked  to  know  something  of 
Christian  Science,  giving  to  it  the  credit  and  saying 
that  they  realized  that  Scientists  had  something  which 
they  had  not.  They  began  to  join  in  the  services  and 

129 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ask  for  literature,  and  others  remarked  at  the  change 
which  took  place  in  them. 

A  request  to  place  literature  in  the  library  and  to 
post  a  notice  regarding  Sunday  services  was  at  first 
denied,  but  soon  after  a  change  was  made  in  the  per- 
sonnel and  those  placed  in  charge  were  favorable  to 
Christian  Science  and  granted  the  request.  Services 
were  held  every  Sunday  morning,  at  which  some 
soldiers  and  several  "Y"  secretaries  were  always 
present. 

The  Christian  Science  headquarters  at  Paris  sup- 
plied Menton  "Y"  with  plenty  of  literature,  and  the 
Monitor  particularly  always  found  a  warm  welcome 
from  the  boys  in  the  library,  as  newspapers  were  very 
scarce.  A  Scientist,  one  of  the  women  secretaries,  was 
in  charge  of  the  information  desk  for  some  time, 
where  she  had  an  opportunity  of  distributing  litera- 
ture. Later  this  same  secretary  was  transferred  to 
"Mother's  Corner"  where  still  better  opportunities 
presented  themselves. 

This  "Y"  gained  the  reputation  of  having  the 
finest  spirit  in  France  and  the  Scientists  stationed 
there  worked  hard  to  establish  and  preserve  the  spirit 
which  was  characterized  by  all  as  one  of  love  and 
harmony. 

A  "Y"  worker  at  Chaumont  writes: 

"During  the  third  week  in  November,  1918,  permission 
was  given  to  hold  Christian  Science  services  in  the  hut  for 
enlisted  men  at  Chaumont,  the  General  Headquarters  of  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces  in  France. 

"The  services  were  held  each  Sunday  evening  in  a  small 
classroom  in  the  rear  of  the  hut,  by  a  little  band  of  Scientists. 
The  interest  has  been  continuous  and  the  attendance  regular. 
Each  evening,  literature  furnished  by  the  Christian  Science 

180 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

War  Relief  Committee  in  Paris  was  distributed.  Also  during 
the  week  this  literature  was  placed  on  the  tables  in  the  library 
of  the  hut. 

"The  work  has  been  a  great  help  to  those  who  have  been 
stationed  here  during  the  winter,  and  there  have  been  many 
who  have  expressed  gratitude  for  the  privilege  of  attending 
services  while  in  Chaumont  for  only  a  day." 

Through  the  activities  of  a  woman  "Y"  worker, 
Christian  Science  services  have  also  been  held  at  Nice 
in  one  of  the  glass-enclosed  jetties  which  extends  out 
over  the  sea.  Literature  was  supplied  through  the 
Paris  office  and  distributed  to  the  men  passing 
through  that  rest  area. 

Services,  of  which  this  Committee  has  no  knowl- 
edge, were  doubtless  held  in  many  places  in  France 
by  individuals  and  even  by  groups  of  men.  When  one 
realizes  what  it  means  that  in  ancient  France, — whose 
history  dates  back  to  the  days  of  the  Romans  and  the 
barbarian  invasions, — that  on  this  historic  soil  the  seed 
of  Truth  was  sown  broadcast  from  one  end  of  the 
land  to  the  other,  one  feels  humbly  grateful  at  the 
thought  of  the  glorious  harvest  which  will  one  day  be 
garnered  from  this  fertile  field. 

In  concluding  this  chapter  we  quote  in  part  from  a 
letter  describing  the  activity  of  some  Scientists  in  the 
Army  of  Occupation  in  Germany.  The  letter,  written 
to  our  Paris  office  from  Diekirch,  Luxembourg,  says : 

"Several  days  ago  we  returned  to  you  the  books  which  you 
so  kindly  provided,  as  this  Division  is  about  to  embark  for 
home. 

"We  wish  to  thank  you  very  much  indeed,  for  the  books 
have  afforded  opportunities  for  several  to  renew  their  regular 
studies,  and  while  the  existence  of  the  room  was  not  exten- 
sively known,  yet  many  found  their  way  there. 

131 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

'Through  this  room  we  learned  of  a  French  family  who 
had  heard  of  Christian  Science  and  in  sincerity  wished  to 
know  more  of  it,  and  it  was  our  privilege  to  leave  with  them 
a  copy  of  Science  and  Health  with  Key  to  the  Scriptures  by 
Mary  Baker  Eddy  (French  and  English).  They  operate  a 
really  clean  book  and  newspaper  store,  and  we  are  confident 
that  this  work  will  bear  none  other  than  good  fruit. 

"We  are  all  glad  indeed  that  we  took  the  step  we  did  here, 
for  it  will  unquestionabty  encourage  us  to  take  our  stand  for 
Truth  wherever  we  may  be,  that  we  may  become  channels  for 
the  good  tidings  of  great  joy." 

Truly  we  have  cause  for  gratitude  that  our  Leader 
ordained  our  impersonal  pastors,  the  Bible  and 
Science  and  Health  with  Key  to  the  Scriptures  to 
"continue  to  preach  for  this  Church  and  the  world" 
(Church  Manual,  page  58). 


132 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

"HE  SENT  HIS  WORD" 

Probably  the  greatest  service  rendered  by  the 
Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  was  the 
world-wide  distribution  of  authorized  Christian 
Science  literature.  Of  this  literature  first  of  course, 
is  the  textbook,  Science  and  Health  with  Key  to  the 
Scriptures  by  Mary  Baker  Eddy.  In  order  that  men 
in  uniform  might  have  this  ever  available  "Chaplain" 
always  with  them,  the  Trustees  under  Mrs.  Eddy's 
Will  authorized  its  publication  in  vest-pocket  size  in 
the  autumn  of  1917.  All  are  now  familiar  with  this 
beautiful  little  book,  but  Christian  Science  students 
who  have  ready  access  in  their  homes  to  the  larger 
editions,  can  realize  but  faintly  what  a  joy  this  com- 
pact little  volume  was  to  the  man  in  camp,  trench, 
submarine,  warship  or  aeroplane.  Says  a  boy  from 
Honolulu : 

"The  vest-pocket  textbook  came  at  the  proper  time,  yea 
in  due  season  as  Love's  gifts  ever  do.  The  entire  Company 
is  to  start  on  a  hundred-mile  hike  around  the  island  of  Oahu 
and  I  was  just  thinking  I  wouldn't  want  to  be  without  my 
Science  and  Health  and  yet  could  not  put  it  into  the  tight 
roll  with  the  other  necessities — when,  as  an  answer  to  this 
prayer  of  desire,  came  this  handy  volume,  'the  little  book 


J  5» 


The  Trustees  under  Mrs.  Eddy's  Will  contributed 
one-half  of  the  cost  of  these  books  and  the  War  Relief 
Fund  of  The  Mother  Church  the  other  half,  so  that 
"without  money  and  without  price"  our  textbook  was 
put  into  the  hands  of  thousands  of  soldiers.  To  men 
in  camp  and  training  station,  this  distribution  was 
effected  through  the  Camp  Worker,  who  endeavored 
to  place  the  books  only  where  there  was  a  sincere 

133 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

desire  for  them  and  an  assurance  that  they  would  be 
highly  prized  and  carefully  studied.  There  were, 
however,  men  all  over  the  world,  with  no  Worker  to 
whom  they  could  appeal,  who  themselves  wrote 
earnest  requests  to  this  Committee  for  a  copy  of  the 
little  book.  Among  these  the  following  letter  from  a 
sailor  is  perhaps  of  unusual  interest.  He  says : 

"One  of  my  shipmates  was  sent  a  vest-pocket  edition  of 
the  textbook.  I  have  been  reading  it  with  deep  interest  and 
wish  to  own  one,  hence  my  letter. 

"I  enlisted  from  Boston  but  was  brought  up  and  went  to 
school  in  Concord,  New  Hampshire,  where  Mrs.  Eddy  once 
lived.  As  a  little  boy  I  used  to  romp  and  play  close  by  her 
home,  Pleasant  View,  and  I  still  remember  her  kind  sweet 
face  as  she  would  ride  by  in  her  carriage.  Sometimes  she 
would  even  give  us  children  a  ride." 

Extracts  from  a  few  of  the  grateful  letters  received 
will  indicate  that  the  book  was  indeed  sent  to  the 
globe's  remotest  bound,  always  bearing  its  message  of 
healing  and  comfort. 

A  British  soldier  writes  from  Damascus,  Syria: 

"This  is  to  advise  you  that  the  vest-pocket  edition  of 
Science  and  Health  and  the  pamphlets  reached  me  safely  and 
were  very  much  welcomed  and  appreciated." 

An  English  "Tommy"  writes  from  France: 

"I  will  say  that  my  Science  and  Health  has  been  with  me 
all  the  time  I  have  been  out  here  and  that  my  reading  a  little 
each  day  has  helped  me  more  than  I  could  ever  put  into 
words." 

From  Saugor,  India,  we  received  the  following: 

"Many  thanks  indeed  for  the  vest-pocket  edition  of  Science 
and  Health.  Also  the  copy  of  Quarterly  and  Song  Book  as 

134 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

well,  which  are  much  appreciated.  They  were  sent  on  to  me 
here  from  Bagdad  and  arrived  in  perfect  condition." 

From  London  General  Hospital,  England : 
"The  soldier's  edition  of  Science  and  Health  came  on  the 
21st  and  found  me  in  the  above-mentioned  hospital.  .  .  . 
The  medical  men  and  nurses  regularly  remark  upon  the 
wonderful  progress  I  have  made,  which  I  personally  at- 
tribute more  than  anything  else  to  my  slight  knowledge  of 
Science.  I  am  very  grateful  for  the  book  you  sent;  it  has 
spoiled  all  the  other  so-called  literature  already." 

From  Salonica,  Greece,  a  soldier  writes: 

"I  beg  to  acknowledge  with  grateful  thanks  safe  receipt 
of  your  letter  together  with  vest-pocket  edition  of  Science 
and  Health,  Quarterly  and  Song  Book,  all  of  which  I  am 
glad  to  have." 

A  former  theological  student  in  71st  Field  Artil- 
lery, U.  S.  A.,  writes: 

"I  also  wish  to  attempt  to  express  my  appreciation  for 
your  kindness  in  sending  the  longed-for  book,  but  cannot  find 
words  to  tell  you  how  thankful  I  feel." 

Writing  from  Egypt  a  soldier  says: 

"I  was  most  grateful  last  night  to  receive  two  copies  of 
the  vest-pocket  edition  of  Science  and  Health  and  two 
Quarterlies.  One  I  shall  forward  to  my  friend  who  is  now 
out  of  the  hospital  but  has  not  yet  come  up  the  line.  I  may 
say  it  is  the  first  gift  or  parcel  I  have  received  at  the  front 
and  one  who  is  a  Christian  Scientist  could  not  receive  a  more 
welcome  package." 

A  private  with  the  American  Expeditionary 
Forces  in  France  writes : 

"I  received  some  few  weeks  past,  the  welcome  textbook, 
which  has  since  been  a  constant  and  most  helpful  companion. 

135 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

I  can  assure  you  that  through  all  the  hours  that  might 
otherwise  be  darkened,  with  such  a  pathfinder,  one  cannot 
lose  one's  self." 

Our  records  show  that  about  40,000  copies  of  the 
vest-pocket  textbook  were  distributed  by  the  Commit- 
tee, and  as  soon  as  this  edition  of  Science  and  Health 
began  to  be  widely  circulated  there  was  an  insistent 
demand  from  the  men  in  the  field  for  a  small  Bible  to 
match.  In  the  summer  of  1918,  this  book  was  ready 
for  distribution.  It  was  deemed  wise  to  ask  those  wish- 
ing this  Bible  to  pay  something  towards  its  cost,  and 
it  was  therefore  provided  to  those  in  service  for  $1.50, 
the  War  Relief  Fund  adding  the  remainder  of  the 
cost.  In  order,  however,  that  no  man  should  be  forced 
to  do  without  a  Bible,  the  War  Relief  Committee 
provided  a  somewhat  larger  black  cloth  edition  with- 
out charge. 

The  vest-pocket  "kit,"  as  the  boys  called  it,  was 
most  heartily  appreciated.  A  Canadian  soldier  writes : 
"The  Bible  I  certainly  treasure,  and  coupled  with  our 
dear  Leader's  word  it  is  a  wonderful  possession." 
Nearly  16,000  copies  of  the  vest-pocket  Bible  were 
purchased  by  the  War  Relief  Committee  for  distri- 
bution. 

Besides  the  Christian  Science  textbook  and  the 
Bible,  all  of  the  authorized  literature  of  The  Mother 
Church  was  distributed  to  those  in  the  service  without 
charge.  Of  the  periodicals,  that  which  had  the  widest 
circulation  was,  of  course,  our  daily  newspaper,  The 
Christian  Science  Monitor.  It  was  very  extensively 
distributed  throughout  the  camps  of  the  United 
States  and  Europe  and  soon  came  to  be  highly 
appreciated  by  those  who  were  not  Christian  Scien- 
tists. This  was  because  the  Monitor  was  recognized 

136 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

to  be  a  most  reliable  source  of  war  news  and  because 
the  men  in  camps  found  each  copy  to  be  a  veritable 
mine  of  information  on  all  the  important  topics  of 
the  day.  Perhaps  the  reception  which  was  accorded 
the  Monitor  in  camps  can  best  be  estimated  by  quot- 
ing from  an  order  issued  by  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  a  large  Texas  camp : 

"The  Commanding  Officer  desires  and  directs  that  the 
special  attention  of  soldiers  be  called  to  the  paper  (The 
Christian  Science  Monitor)  as  a  great  deal  of  good,  and  a 
great  deal  of  information  can  be  obtained  by  reading  and 
consulting  this  paper.  Its  objects  are  to  give  as  nearly 
correct  information  as  possible  upon  the  events  of  the 
world,  to  set  forth  the  best  there  is  in  the  world,  to  encourage 
patriotism,  loyalty  and  attention  to  duty. 

"The  action  of  the  Christian  Science  Association  in  fur- 
nishing this  paper  to  the  officers  and  men  of  this  command 
is  thoroughly  appreciated,  but  the  best  sign  of  appreciation 
is  that  it  be  read." 

The  Monitor  was  distributed  throughout  the  train- 
ing camps  in  various  ways.  Permission  was  always 
secured  from  the  officer  highest  in  command  and  when 
this  was  granted  our  Worker  had  the  paper  delivered 
to  the  sergeant  in  charge  of  each  company  for  the 
use  of  the  men  under  his  jurisdiction.  In  this  way  the 
various  units  in  the  camp  were  supplied  regularly  with 
several  Monitors  and  those  who  were  not  Christian 
Scientists  had  the  opportunity  of  reading  the  paper, 
if  they  so  desired.  Individual  subscriptions  to  men 
who  requested  them  were  also  supplied  through  the 
Camp  Worker.  These  usually  went  to  men  who  were 
Christian  Scientists  or  who  at  least  evinced  enough 
interest  to  desire  their  own  copy  of  the  paper.  When- 
ever acceptable,  the  Monitor  and   other   Christian 

137 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Science  periodicals  were  placed  in  the  reading  and 
recreation  rooms  of  such  organizations  as  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.,  Red  Cross,  Jewish  Welfare  Board,  Salvation 
Army,  etc.  Possibly  some  statistics  showing  approxi- 
mately the  amount  of  Monitor  distribution  made  by 
this  Committee,  will  prove  of  interest  at  this  point. 
In  France  and  England  the  Monitor  was  sent  out  in 
much  the  same  way  as  in  the  United  States,  through 
Workers  and  War  Relief  Depots,  although  neces- 
sarily many  men  had  to  be  reached  individually. 

The  following  figures  are  for  September,  October 
and  November,  1918,  the  three  most  active  months 
of  the  Committee's  existence : 

September,  1918 

England 159,255 

France 45,689 

United  States  and  Canada       ....  936,840 

United  States,  Canada  and  Europe,  total  1,141,784 

October,  1918 

England 128,316 

France 65,250 

United  States  and  Canada      ....  1,088,541 

United  States,  Canada  and  Europe,  total  1,282,107 

November,  1918 

England 113,876 

France 67,855 

United  States  and  Canada     ....  864,008 

United  States,  Canada  and  Europe,  total  1,045,739 

For  those  who  receive  their  copies  of  the  Moni- 
tor regularly,  it  is  difficult  to  realize  the  joy  and 
enthusiasm  which  a  single  copy  of  our  newspaper 

138 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

brought  to  men  in  remote  corners  of  the  world.  In  a 
letter  requesting  a  subscription  to  the  paper  from  a 
soldier  in  Siberia,  he  says : 

"It  may  interest  you  to  know  that  last  night  I  chanced 
across  the  Monitor  of  June  25  (his  letter  was  dated  Septem- 
ber 29),  which  I  have  already  read,  but  which  bears  re- 
reading. At  the  moment  I  am  jealously  guarding  it,  as  it 
has  merely  been  loaned  to  me,  and  will  be  passed  around 
when  I  have  finished.  Where  it  came  from  I  do  not  know,  but 
imagine  it  was  brought  on  the  transport  by  one  of  the  men." 

From  France  an  American  soldier  wrote: 

"I  am  now  in  territory  that  was  occupied  by  the  Germans 
and,  as  we  fellows  say,  'away  up  in  the  woods.'  We  are 
scarcely  ever  near  a  town  and  last  Sunday  several  of  us  took 
a  hike  into  the  woods  looking  for  what  we  could  find  and  I 
was  fortunate  enough  to  pick  up  a  copy  of  the  Monitor. 
I  was  as  glad  to  get  it  as  a  little  boy  is  to  get  candy." 

One  of  our  Workers  in  this  country  was  pleased  to 
have  a  burly  Canadian  veteran  come  into  his  office 
with  the  remark: 

"I  saw  the  sign  across  the  street  and  thought  I  would 
come  in.  I  was  at  Vimy  Ridge  and  I  want  to  tell  you  that 
yours  was  the  only  paper  the  troops  received  while  there. 
We  all  used  to  enjoy  reading  it,  for  it  is  such  a  fine,  clean 
publication." 

To  the  men  with  the  Army  of  Occupation  in  Ger- 
many the  Monitor  has  proved  of  inestimable  value. 
What  it  meant  to  one  of  them  is  best  told  in  his  own 
words : 

"The  Monitor  is  truly  doing  wonderful  things  over  here 
for  me.  It  is  in  short  my  closest  companion,  keeping  me  in 
touch  and  acquainted  with  the  outside  world.  Some  of  the 
men  are  taking-  courses  in  the  new  army  schools  established 

139 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

by  the  government.  I  have  chosen  to  take  my  college  course 
through  a  careful  and  thorough  study  of  the  Monitor.  The 
educational  value  of  the  paper  is  wonderful,  covering  as  it 
does,  in  an  intelligent  way,  the  sum  total  of  human  activi- 
ties, as  well  as  containing  a  summary  of  the  highest  type 
of  ancient  and  modern  literature.  Does  not  the  Monitor  whose 
tutor  is  Principle  furnish  us  the  most  wonderful  college 
course  we  can  take  in  these  times?  I  surely  am  grateful  for 
the  privilege  and  opportunity  of  reading  it." 

The  other  periodicals  were  also  widely  distributed, 
though  not  in  any  such  quantity  as  the  Monitor,  and 
were  sent  naturally  to  those  who  had  expressed  a 
desire  for  the  religious  teaching  of  Christian  Science. 

From  a  lieutenant  in  a  southern  camp  we  received 
the  following: 

"A  copy  of  the  Christian  Science  Sentinel  mailed  by  some- 
one to  the  cantonments  of  the  National  Army  was  handed 
to  me  at  my  barracks  and  it  has  afforded  me  a  large  measure 
of  interest  and  pleasure  to  pore  over  its  pages. 

"I  have  been  for  some  time  casually  interested  in  Christian 
Science  and  would  like  to  become  better  acquainted  with  it. 
Please  place  me  on  your  mailing  list." 

From  Vladivostok  a  prisoner  wrote : 

"I  have  got  by  accident  an  old  number  of  The  Christian 
Science  Journal  in  which  I  have  read  surprising  things. 
Desiring  to  know  the  Christian  Science  please  send  me  any 
number  of  your  Journals  and  pamphlets.  ...  I  am  a  Hun- 
garian and  have  learnt  English  in  my  imprisonment,  and  so 
I  beg  your  pardon  for  the  incorrectness  of  my  letter.  I  know 
German  better  but  I  think  to  write  English  more  proper." 

A  subscription  to  Le  Heraut  de  Christian  Science 
was  sent  in  response  to  the  following  letter  from  a 
French  soldier: 

140 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

"I  pray  you  to  excuse  my  bad  English.  I  should  be  glad 
to  read  your  magazine  and  even  books  about  Christian 
Science — we  do  not  know  it  well  in  France — if  somebody 
among  your  readers  was  kind  enough  to  send  me  free  some 
of  them. 

"I  am  now  wounded  for  the  second  time  and  I  must  stay 
at  bed.  Your  magazine  or  books  would  help  me  to  pass  the 
long  hours  I  must  spend  and  to  wait  the  day  I  shall  be  able 
to  return  to  the  front  again." 

Besides  the  periodicals,  the  War  Relief  Committee 
distributed  thousands  of  pamphlets  on  Christian 
Science.  These  little  messengers  of  Truth  could  be 
slipped  into  a  letter  and  they  literally  became  leaves 
of  healing  to  all  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Postal  regu- 
lations prohibited  the  sending  of  packages  to  men 
with  the  American  army  in  France,  but  these  handy 
little  booklets  could  always  be  included  in  a  letter  and 
were  invariably  much  appreciated. 

Selected  at  random  from  correspondence  sent  to 
this  Committee,  the  following  list  of  places  outside 
of  the  United  States  will  give  some  idea  of  the  wide- 
spread distribution  of  our  Christian  Science  literature 
to  men  in  the  service.  Sometimes  a  textbook,  some- 
times a  Sentinel,  Journal  or  Monitor,  sometimes  a 
pamphlet  was  sent,  but  it  was  always  the  word  of 
God  of  which  the  Psalmist  said,  "Their  line  is  gone 
out  through  all  the  earth." 


Canada 

Samoa 

Newfoundland 

England 

Alaska 

Scotland 

Hayti 

Ireland 

Cuba 

Belgium 

Canal  Zone 

France 

Virgin  Islands 

Switzerland 

141 

CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 


Italy 

Gibraltar 

Prisoners  in  Germany 

"Egypt 

China 

Trinidad 

Japan 

Bermuda 

Philippine  Islands 

Jamaica 

Hawaiian  Islands 

India 

Australia 

South  Africa 

New  Zealand 

West  Africa 

Bulgaria 

Russia 

Macedonia 

Salonica 

Tunis 

Syria 

Malta 

Palestine 

We  are  all  familiar  with  the  Quarterly  in  the  vest- 
pocket  size  but  probably  do  not  appreciate  it  as  thor- 
oughly as  this  English  soldier  who  wrote: 

"It  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  receive  the  little  Christian 
Science  Quarterly  you  so  kindly  sent  me,  and  you  may  be 
sure  that  it  will  be  put  to  good  use.  It  is  further  evidence 
of  the  immeasurable  good  performed  in  this  world  by  our 
Leader." 

Mention  must  also  be  made  of  the  small  Song  Book 
printed  in  vest-pocket  size  for  the  use  of  those  in 
service.  It  was  a  selection  of  hymns  taken  from  the 
Christian  Science  Hymnal  and  arranged  for  male 
voices,  including  all  of  Mrs.  Eddy's  hymns  and  a 
number  of  other  well-known  ones,  especially  those 
which  are  particularly  helpful  to  a  Christian  warrior. 

In  connection  with  these  little  books,  which  met  a 
most  cordial  reception  everywhere,  one  of  our  Work- 
ers tells  this  interesting  incident : 

"One  Sunday  evening  as  I  was  passing  the  stockade  I 
asked  permission  of  the  Prison  Officer  to  offer  each  of  the 
prisoners  a  copy  of  our  Song  Book.  He  looked  it  over  care- 

142 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Rooms,  Chicago,  Illinois 


A  Tent  Room,  Camp  Logan,  Texas 


Inside  view  Welfare  Tent,  Camp  Logan,  Texas 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

fully,  gave  his  consent,  and  sent  a  guard  with  me  into  the 
stockade.  All  but  four  men  accepted  the  book.  Then  some- 
thing occurred  that  never  happened  there  before.  Someone 
found  'Nearer  my  God  to  Thee'  and  began  to  sing  it.  In  less 
than  a  minute  there  was  a  great  male  chorus  singing  that 
hymn." 

Large  numbers  of  our  Song  Books  were  supplied, 
at  their  request,  to  Y.  M.  C.  A.  workers,  Song  Di- 
rectors, and  other  persons  interested  in  encouraging 
the  men  to  sing. 

It  would,  of  course,  be  quite  impossible  to  recount 
in  full  the  results  accomplished  by  the  Christian  Sci- 
ence literature  sent  out  by  the  War  Relief  Committee, 
or  to  quote  from  even  a  small  number  of  the  letters  of 
gratitude  received  from  recipients  of  this  literature. 
Let  one  suffice  to  show  what  was  done  for  a  soldier 
in  California  to  whom  a  copy  of  the  vest-pocket  text- 
book was  given  by  one  of  our  workers. 

"I  wish  to  thank  the  Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare 
Committee  for  placing  in  my  hands  'Science  and  Health  with 
Key  to  the  Scriptures'  by  Mrs.  Eddy.  I  had  suffered  with 
kidney  trouble  for  sixteen  years  and  now  by  studying  the 
little  book  and  asking  God  to  help  me  I  have  been  healed 
in  thirty  days'  time." 


143 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

WITH  THE  FORCES  AFLOAT 

The  naval  man's  life  differs  from  the  soldier's  in 
its  greater  restrictions.  It  possesses  less  variety  in  pas- 
times and  associations.  Often  long  periods  elapse 
between  his  "shore  liberty"  and  his  touch  with  home 
ties.  Indeed,  contact  with  the  normal  life  and  daily 
affairs  of  the  civilian  or  even  of  his  army  brother,  is 
denied  him.  That  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief 
Committee  early  recognized  the  need  in  the  United 
States  Navy  and  developed  its  naval  Welfare  work 
accordingly,  was  but  a  natural  unfoldment. 

The  New  Jersey  Committee,  its  army  Welfare 
work  only  begun,  probably  realized  this  when  urgent 
request  for  the  Committee's  good  offices  came  to  them 
from  within  the  navy  itself.  An  officer  in  command  of 
a  ship,  fitting  out  in  a  commercial  yard  in  Hoboken, 
appealed  to  the  State  Committee  in  the  interest  of 
his  crew.  Hoboken  had  not  then  become  the  great 
embarkation  point  that  it  very  soon  did,  though  there 
was  ample  evidence  of  the  Government's  intention. 
There  were  no  activities,  as  later,  for  the  benefit  of 
enlisted  personnel,  and  there  was  sore  need  for  some 
provision  for  those  attached  to  ships.  The  response 
to  this  officer's  request  was  prompt,  and  there  was 
quickly  opened  a  well-fitted  and  comfortable  Welfare 
Room.  The  location  of  this  room  was  close  to  the  piers 
which  were  destined  to  become  the  great  embarkation 
headquarters  and  docks,  and  adjacent  to  the  then  just 
established  shipping  rooms  of  the  American  Library 
Association.  The  cordial  relations  existing  from  the 
start  between  those  in  charge  of  the  American 
Library  Association  and  the  Committee,  opened  the 

144 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

way  for  our  Leader's  writings  to  go  overseas  in  each 
portable  library  shipped  by  the  Association.  This 
room  at  Hoboken  at  once  met  a  need  and  was  much 
appreciated  by  naval  officers  and  men.  Here  was 
carried  on  an  increasingly  effective  and  important 
work,  the  room  becoming  not  only  a  veritable  haven 
for  hundreds  of  lonely,  homesick  men,  but  a  contact 
point  and  literature  distributing  center  for  the  im- 
mense overseas  forces  which  soon  began  to  embark 
at  this  port. 

The  New  Jersey  room  was  the  first  organized 
naval  work.  The  idea  developed  so  rapidly,  however, 
that  early  in  April,  1918,  a  naval  representative  was 
appointed  and  sent  from  Boston  to  secure  proper  offi- 
cial recognition  for  Christian  Science  War  Relief 
Workers  and  to  establish  naval  work  through  a  dis- 
tribution of  the  Monitor  on  the  vessels  of  the  Fleet. 
The  United  States  Fleet,  in  war  time,  is  perhaps  the 
most  difficult  of  places  for  a  civilian  to  gain  an  en- 
trance. Uncle  Sam  guards  all  his  property  with  care, 
but  special  precaution  is  exercised  to  protect  the  forces 
afloat.  When  the  order  was  issued  to  mobilize  the 
Fleet,  all  ship-visiting  by  non-military  persons  was 
strictly  prohibited.  Even  the  bases  selected  for  mobili- 
zation were  inaccessible  without  authority  emanat- 
ing from  the  Commander-in-Chief.  Civilians  were 
frowned  upon  and  were  always  objects  of  suspicion. 
Thus  it  may  be  seen  that  when  the  War  Relief  Com- 
mittee decided  to  extend  its  already  well-established 
Camp  Welfare  work  to  the  naval  arm  of  the  service, 
it  did  so,  knowing  that  there  is  no  barrier  to  Truth. 

There  was  a  primary  and  a  secondary  base  used  by 
the  Fleet  in  home  waters,  the  primary  one  being  secret 
and  located  on  the  York  River,  off  historical  York- 

145 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

town.  Its  scant  local  population  and  remoteness 
from  railroad  connections  made  it  an  ideally  isolated 
rendezvous.  Here,  behind  lines  of  heavy  submarine 
nets  lay  a  constantly  changing  force  of  from  forty  to 
fifty  major  ships  of  the  line  with  a  personnel  approxi- 
mating fifty  thousand  officers  and  men. 

Getting  in  touch  at  once  with  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Fleet,  the  representative  of  the  War 
Relief  Committee,  especially  appointed  for  this  pur- 
pose, was  invited  to  a  conference  on  the  flagship, 
where  the  aims  and  the  method  of  our  work  were  laid 
before  those  in  authority.  So  satisfactory  were  the 
plans  outlined  that  this  Worker  was  granted  general 
and  unrestricted  permission  to  board  any  ship  or  unit 
under  the  supervision  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Fleet,  and  was  also  given  passes  good  in  specified 
localities  for  assistants. 

Within  a  week  the  first  assistant  was  detailed  to 
care  for  the  ships  at  Yorktown  and  had  his  pass  ready 
to  begin  operations.  Though  the  Worker's  pass  per- 
mitted him  the  use  of  the  Fleet's  tenders  or  launches, 
it  was  felt  by  the  Admiral's  Chief  of  Staff  that  he 
would  be  more  valuable  and  have  a  broader  oppor- 
tunity if  provided  with  a  boat  of  his  own.  The  advisa- 
bility of  this  was  soon  realized  by  both  the  Commit- 
tee's special  representative  and  the  Worker,  and 
efforts  were  bent  towards  finding  a  suitable  launch. 
The  boat  known  as  "Welfare  First"  more  than  ful- 
filled expectations  and  the  Scientist  sent  from  Boston 
to  operate  it  soon  developed  into  a  much-needed 
second  Worker. 

Welfare  I  was  35  feet  in  length,  had  a  beam  of  8 
feet,  and  a  draft  of  2%  feet.  Her  engine  was  a  2-cycle, 
2-cylinder  Mianus,  15  horsepower,  fully  equipped  with 

146 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

storage  battery,  generator,  interior  electric  lights,  and 
had  a  14-foot  cabin  with  a  full  equipment  of  life  pre- 
servers, a  painter,  anchor,  flag,  boat-hook,  etc. 

Welfare  I  and  Welfare  II,  subsequently  pur- 
chased, were  used  for  exactly  the  same  purpose  as 
automobiles  in  the  camps.  Of  Welfare  I  the  Worker 
writes : 

"Daily  she  carried  me  out  to  the  ships  and  around  them.  I 
always  had  some  of  the  Comforts  articles  aboard  and  gave 
away  from  her  decks  altogether  over  1100  articles,  including 
135  bedquilts,  420  pairs  of  socks  and  350  sweaters.  During 
the  last  month  I  operated  her,  she  visited  226  ships,  and  I 
gave  away  personally  on  those  ships  nearly  10,000  copies  of 
the  Monitor,  not  including  subscriptions. 

"Welfare  I  visited  the  Hospital  ship  Solace  every  day 
and  I  had  permission  to  go  through  all  the  wards  and  did  so, 
giving  away  many  Monitors.  I  always  visited  the  neighbor- 
ing lighthouses  supplying  them  with  literature.  Three  times 
a  week  we  ran  to  the  submarine  nets  at  the  mouth  of  the  York 
River  and  furnished  the  fleet  of  chasers  with  literature. 

"You  can  imagine  it  was  strenuous  work  to  take  100  to 
150  Monitors  under  your  arm,  and,  standing  on  the  front 
deck,  with  spray  and  water  breaking  around  your  knees,  run 
up  to  a  gangway  in  a  heavy  sea,  and  just  step  aboard  at  the 
right  instant,  but  I  did  it  without  mishap  hundreds  of  times." 

The  secondary  base  was  maintained  at  Hampton 
Roads,  where,  in  addition  to  auxiliary  vessels,  con- 
voys and  transports,  foreign  ships  and  many  mer- 
chantmen anchored,  and  major  ships  from  Yorktown 
came  more  or  less  regularly  for  brief  stays.  A  sub- 
marine base  up  the  Chesapeake  and  an  outlying  army 
post  on  Fisherman's  Island,  near  Cape  Charles, 
needed  care  from  this  base.  The  second  Worker  was 
now  appointed,  and  another  and  larger  boat  known  as 
"Welfare  Second"  was  provided  for  service. 

147 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Welfare  II  was  46  feet  long,  with  a  beam  of  14 
feet  and  a  draft  of  5  feet.  Her  engine  was  a  3-cylinder, 
2-cycle  Kahlenberg,  of  27  horsepower.  She  had  four 
rooms,  with  a  galley  forward  under  deck,  containing 
oil  stoves,  water  tanks  and  a  full  set  of  cooking  uten- 
sils. There  were  also  berths  for  two  men  in  the  galley. 
Next  came  the  pilot  house,  then  the  engine  room.  The 
cabin  was  well  furnished  with  rugs,  easy-chairs,  a  desk 
and  berths.  Welfare  II  was  used  for  the  naval  work 
in  and  about  Hampton. 

Not  long  after  Welfare  I  was  purchased,  the 
Worker  wrote : 

"You  will  be  interested  to  know  that  the  launch  is  becom- 
ing increasingly  useful.  Last  night  she  carried  an  officer 
across  the  river  after  the  ferry  had  stopped  running  for  the 
night.  Today,  while  I  was  aboard  one  of  the  battleships  I 
noticed  that  the  recreation  party  that  was  bound  for  the 
shore  could  not  all  get  into  the  ship's  launches.  There  were 
about  forty  very  disappointed  boys.  One  of  them  was  a  Scien- 
tist to  whom  I  had  been  talking.  I  asked  him  what  was  the 
trouble  and  he  said  that  they  were  only  allowed  three  hours 
on  shore  and  that  he  and  the  rest  of  the  forty  would  lose  most 
of  that  time  because  they  would  have  to  wait  until  the 
launches  made  a  return  trip,  about  three  miles  each  way.  I 
went  to  the  officer  of  the  deck  and  offered  the  use  of  our 
launch.  He  took  the  matter  up  with  the  Captain  who  accepted 
with  thanks,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  whole  forty  were  on 
board  arriving  very  shortly  after  the  first  party.  Going  over 
I  gave  each  boy  a  copy  of  the  Monitor  to  read.  I  might  add 
that  in  the  party  was  the  ship's  baseball  team  and  they  com- 
mented highly  on  the  Sporting  page  of  the  Monitor.  'Henry' 
in  the  camp  sometimes  used  to  carry  eight  or  nine  boys  but 
his  sister  'Henrietta'  has  him  beaten.  She  is  'some  jitney' 
according  to  the  boys." 

148 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

Authority  was  also  obtained  from  the  British 
Admiralty  office  for  the  boarding  of  British  vessels, 
which  included  a  pass  for  the  Worker. 

The  headquarters  for  the  naval  work  at  Yorktown 
and  Hampton  Roads  was  established  at  Hampton, 
Virginia,  which  served  not  only  as  an  office,  but  as  a 
Welfare  Room  for  men  from  convoys  and  other  ships, 
and  for  the  soldiers  from  Langley  Field  and  Fortress 
Monroe. 

Transports  leaving  Hampton  Roads  docked  for 
embarkation  of  troops  at  Newport  News,  Virginia, 
and  the  naval  work  was  soon  extended  to  these  vessels. 
Like  the  Fleet,  access  to  transports  and  transport 
docks  appeared  almost  an  impossibility,  so  strictly 
enforced  were  the  regulations  regarding  civilians.  The 
transport  service,  too,  was  under  joint  army  and 
naval  officials.  The  initial  authority  only  permitted 
the  placing  of  Monitors  on  board,  to  be  distributed  by 
a  member  of  the  ship's  crew,  and  access  to  either  docks 
or  ships  by  our  Worker  was  not  looked  upon  with 
favor.  So  quickly  was  the  value  of  the  literature  ap- 
preciated, that  the  Committee  was  soon  granted  an 
unrestricted  pass  to  the  docks  and  transports.  This 
not  only  permitted  the  Worker  to  go  on  board  daily 
with  the  Monitors,  but  gave  him  the  unusual  privilege 
of  distributing  papers  and  other  literature,  after  the 
troops  were  embarked.  This  was  the  first  transport 
work. 

The  largest  embarkation  point,  however,  was 
Hoboken,  New  Jersey.  Here  a  very  efficient  work 
was  accomplished.  A  daily  distribution  of  the  Monitor 
to  the  transports  while  in  port  was  maintained,  and 
so  well  did  the  New  Jersey  Committee  demonstrate 
their  way,  and  so  grew  the  demand  for  the  Monitor 

149 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

and  other  literature,  that  one  Worker  soon  proved 
insufficient,  and  several  were  finally  necessary  to  care 
for  the  transports  alone.  This  distribution  and  relief 
work  were  extended  to  vessels  leaving  New  York,  and 
an  extensive  activity  had  been  established  when  the 
armistice  was  signed. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  give  in  detail  the  excel- 
lent work  accomplished  at  the  various  shore  stations. 
There  were  few  places,  ashore  or  afloat,  where  the 
cooperation  of  the  naval  authorities  was  not  of  the 
most  generous  and  friendly  order.  Especially  was  this 
true  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
and  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire.  In  citing  these 
specifically,  no  injustice  is  intended  to  officials  at  other 
points  where  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  Welfare  work 
was  also  shown.  The  value  of  the  work  at  Newport, 
Rhode  Island,  was  evidenced  by  the  appreciation  of 
it  expressed  by  the  naval  officials  at  the  Training  Sta- 
tion. One  has  only  to  talk  with  any  man  confined  in 
the  hospital  during  the  epidemic  to  understand  the 
value  of  the  tireless  work,  with  "signs  following" 
accomplished  there.  The  entree  to  the  hospital,  in 
itself,  was  something  for  which  to  be  grateful. 

In  Norfolk,  Virginia,  a  very  active  distribution 
committee  had  laid  a  fine  foundation  for  an  effective 
work  at  the  several  naval  establishments.  This  pioneer 
effort  enabled  the  War  Relief  Committee  quickly  to 
build  an  extensive  Welfare  work.  The  naval  operat- 
ing base,  comprising  a  training  station  second  only 
to  the  Great  Lakes  Training  Station  near  Chicago, 
a  flying  school  and  hospital,  was  in  itself  a  large  field 
for  work.  Added  to  this  was  the  navy  yard  across  the 
river,  and  other  smaller  scattered  bases  or  units.  One 
Worker  began  caring  for  all,  but  so  rapidly  did  the 

150 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

activity  unfold  that  the  naval  operating  base  alone 
required  the  entire  time  of  a  Worker.  The  apprecia- 
tion of  the  Monitor  and  other  periodicals  was  ex- 
pressed in  a  constantly  increasing  demand  for  sub- 
scriptions and  an  early  request  for  services.  Much 
interest  was  shown  in  Christian  Science  in  the  hospi- 
tals at  the  operating  base,  and  many  textbooks  were 
requested.  As  at  other  points,  healings  resulted  and 
gratitude  and  recognition  followed. 

The  Great  Lakes  Naval  Training  Station  was  one 
of  the  three  largest  in  the  country  and  the  need  for  an 
experienced  Worker  at  this  point  was  soon  supplied. 
As  the  work  of  the  Camp  Welfare  Committee  pro- 
gressed, services  were  established  which  were  well 
attended  by  the  men  interested  in  Christian  Science, 
readers  being  selected  from  among  their  number.  The 
good  accomplished  through  these  services  proved  itself 
during  the  epidemic  of  fear,  called  influenza,  which 
later  invaded  the  station.  The  services  proved  effica- 
cious to  the  men,  not  only  in  keeping  their  own 
thought  clear,  but  in  helping  others  to  overcome  their 
fear.  Many  men  were  healed  without  having  to  be  re- 
moved to  the  hospital  and  others  were  able  through 
their  understanding  of  Truth,  to  work  among  those 
afflicted  without  manifesting  any  symptoms  of  dis- 
ease, thus  proving  Christian  Science  to  be  preventive 
as  well  as  therapeutic. 

At  Boston  a  large  naval  field,  both  shore  units 
and  ships,  was  well  cared  for;  and  New  York  also 
reached  the  shore  stations  and  ships  in  that  vicinity. 
Maine  was  not  neglectful  of  the  navy  men  touching 
at  her  ports,  and  the  Philadelphia  Navy  Yard  was  one 
of  our  busiest  distribution  centers.  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  saw  that  literature  was  not  lacking  on  ves- 

151 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

sels  leaving  there  and  the  men  at  her  navy  yard 
found  a  helpful  friend  in  the  Worker.  At  Mobile, 
Alabama,  many  British  warships  were  supplied  with 
our  literature,  as  well  as  were  our  own  boats  landing 
at  that  port.  San  Francisco  discovered  that  the  navy 
was  not  easy  of  access,  but  once  admitted,  received 
assistance  and  found  quick  appreciation  of  its  work. 
The  Washington  State  Committee  maintained  a 
Worker,  whose  entire  time  was  devoted  to  the  navy 
yard  at  Bremerton,  near  Seattle.  The  work  here  was 
productive  of  the  most  gratifying  results  and  secured 
the  entire  appreciation  and  cooperation  of  the  officers. 
The  work  at  the  Portsmouth  Navy  Yard  was  the 
last  to  unfold  and  little  is  known  of  it.  Therefore  it 
will  be  spoken  of  in  some  detail.  The  variety  and 
diversity  of  the  units  at  this  point  rendered  the  work 
somewhat  different  from  that  of  the  other  shore  sta- 
tions. The  navy  yard  proper  comprised  the  usual 
number  of  ships,  coming  and  going,  a  large  hospital, 
a  marine  camp,  and  the  large  naval  prison.  The  lat- 
ter had  a  population  of  twenty- four  hundred  men 
during  the  war.  A  naval  Worker  arrived  in  Ports- 
mouth, at  the  time  the  so-called  influenza  was  at  its 
height.  Upon  reporting  to  the  Commandant,  it  was 
learned  that  the  hospital  was  congested,  and  there  was 
a  shortage  of  nurses,  due  to  sickness  and  recent  de- 
tachments, creating  a  serious  situation.  The  services 
of  the  Worker  were  volunteered  and  accepted,  and  in 
the  hospital  spiritual  work  was  combined  with  the 
material  care  of  sick  nurses  and  men  in  the  influenza 
wards.  Wards  of  terror-stricken  men,  witnessing  the 
death  of  comrades,  were  calmed  and  encouraged,  and 
many  patients  thought  to  be  very  ill  were  found  up 
and  dressed  the  following  day.  Sick  nurses  stopped 

152 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

taking  medicine  and  in  some  cases  requested  the  text- 
book. The  death  rate  at  once  diminished  and  in 
twenty-four  hours  reached  the  zero  mark. 

Visits  to  the  prison  wards  in  the  hospital  led  later  on 
to  "follow-up"  work  in  the  prison  itself.  The  response 
to  the  truth  was  so  great  and  the  need  so  evident,  that 
the  effort  to  divide  the  time  equally  between  the  dif- 
ferent units  was  finally  abandoned,  the  prison  becom- 
ing the  scene  of  the  Worker's  greatest  activity  and  the 
hospital  being  given  such  time  as  remained.  Unlike 
most  penal  institutions,  men  in  the  naval  prison  num- 
ber few  criminals,  most  of  the  offenses  being  of  a 
military  character  and  not  punishable  by  a  civil  court. 
Scarcely  more  than  boys,  many  are  mere  youths  who 
entered  the  service  in  a  burst  of  patriotism,  with  an 
undeveloped  sense  of  responsibility  and  unfortunately 
no  great  appreciation  of  the  importance  of  obedience. 
Here  is  more  ignorance  than  viciousness;  more 
thoughtlessness  than  deliberate  disobedience.  The 
effect  of  a  prison  sentence  upon  this  type  of  undis- 
ciplined, independent  American  young  manhood, 
without  a  knowledge  of  real  obedience  and  right  gov- 
ernment, and  a  true  understanding  of  freedom,  was 
distressing  in  the  extreme,  to  put  the  case  mildly. 
Here,  therefore,  was  an  opportunity  to  demonstrate 
practically  that  the  truth  does  make  free,  opening 
prison  doors.  Soon  some  of  these  young  men  by  read- 
ing the  textbook  for  which  they  had  themselves  asked, 
found  their  real  freedom,  even  before  gaining  release 
from  confinement.  The  bettering  of  positions  in  the 
prison  was  the  rule  with  the  men  who  became  earnestly 
interested  in  Science.  Services  soon  followed  the  regu- 
lar Monitor  distribution.  When  the  work  was  first 
started  the  Commanding  Officer  expressed  to  the 

153 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Worker  the  desire  that  services  be  reestablished.  They 
had  twice  before  been  held  at  the  prison  but  had  been 
allowed  to  lapse.  It  was  considered,  however,  wiser 
that  the  demonstration  of  services  be  made  within  the 
prison.  This  was  done.  Within  three  weeks  a  list  of 
thirty  names  of  men  who  desired  to  attend  Christian 
Science  services  was  given  to  the  Worker.  A  large 
percentage  of  the  men  who  expressed  this  desire,  and 
who  further  became  interested,  have  since  been  dis- 
charged from  the  prison.  The  attendance  at  each  serv- 
ice was  always  excellent  and  steadily  increased,  fol- 
lowed by  numerous  requests  for  the  textbook,  for 
literature  and  for  talks  with  the  Worker.  Services 
were  held  in  the  prison  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building.  From 
the  first,  the  work  of  the  Christian  Science  War  Re- 
lief Committee  was  generously  recognized  at  this 
station,  and  cordial  cooperation  was  extended  by  the 
naval  authorities  in  every  unit.  Perhaps  no  finer 
recognition  of  Christian  Science  could  have  been  ac- 
corded than  that  made  by  the  prisoners  themselves, 
and  upon  their  own  initiative,  when  the  Worker  was 
made  an  Honorary  Member  of  the  Mutual  Welfare 
League  and  presented  with  the  insignia.  The  League 
is  a  branch  of  the  association  for  self-government 
formed  by  Thomas  Mott  Osborne  in  Auburn  and 
Sing  Sing  prisons.  The  Christian  Science  work  was 
considered  of  such  value  by  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  prison  that  it  was  his  desire,  upon  the  resigna- 
tion of  the  pioneer  Worker,  that  a  resident  Worker 
be  established  at  the  prison,  to  live  and  be  associated 
at  all  times  with  the  prisoners.  The  Committee  ap- 
pointed a  man  for  this  position. 

"Monday  night  I  came  into  the  prison  as  a  prisoner 
and  received  my  clothes  (gray  stripes),"  he  writes.  "I 

154 


CAMP  WELFARE  COMMITTEE 

have  been  assigned  to  a  cell  with  a  man  who  deserted 
from  his  ship."  Through  the  interest  and  cooperation 
of  the  Commanding  Officer  our  Worker  was  soon 
given  an  office  where  he  could  interview  the  men  and 
keep  his  supplies  of  literature  and  knitted  goods. 

To  tell  in  any  detail  the  assistance  rendered  to  the 
men  in  the  prison  would  make  a  long  story.  Cases  of 
rheumatism,  stricture,  influenza,  mental  unbalance, 
cocaine  habit,  and  venereal  diseases  are  among  the 
dark  images  of  disease  which  have  vanished  before 
the  sunlight  of  Truth.  Depression,  discouragement 
and  despair  have  been  lifted  for  many  a  man  and  he 
has  been  encouraged  to  go  out,  when  discharged,  to 
make  a  fresh  start.  Our  Worker  found  several  boys 
who  felt  their  position  to  be  such  a  disgrace  that  they 
had  ceased  to  write  to  their  families.  Through  his 
efforts  letters  were  sent  home.  In  one  case  a  boy 
found  in  the  "sick-bay"  asked  for  Christian  Science 
treatment.  He  then  told  our  Worker  of  a  sister  who 
was  a  Scientist  to  whom  he  had  not  written  for  a  long 
time.  The  good  news  sent  her  about  her  brother 
brought  an  immediate  response  and  shortly  after  the 
boy  himself  wrote  his  sister  a  most  loving  letter.  In 
another  case  a  mother  who  had  been  sending  her  let- 
ters to  an  incorrect  address,  and  consequently  receiv- 
ing no  reply,  was  put  in  touch  with  her  son.  Our 
Worker  endeavored  to  secure  employment  for  those 
receiving  their  discharges  and  in  one  case  was  instru- 
mental in  sending  a  boy  suffering  from  mental  trouble 
back  to  his  family  for  care  and  protection.  The  father 
wrote : 

"I  am  certainly  grateful  to  know  that  you  found  my  boy 
and  gave  him  a  helping  hand.  I  understand  you  found  him 

155 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

reading  Science  and  Health.  Good,  that  is  the  only  religion 
he  knows  anything  of." 

Allotments  to  the  home  folks  were  straightened 
out.  In  one  case  arrears  amounting  to  $500  were 
located.  A  lost  Liberty  Bond  was  restored.  A  boy  who 
had  lost  all  trace  of  his  family,  not  even  knowing  his 
mother's  present  name,  was  put  in  touch  with  them, 
and  a  home  is  waiting  for  him  when  he  cares  to  go  to 
it.  Our  literature  has,  of  course,  been  widely  dis- 
tributed and  much  appreciated. 

Possibly  the  best  evidence  of  the  gratitude  felt  for 
our  work  is  the  following,  cut  from  the  Mutual  Wel- 
fare News,  the  prison  paper: 

"The  Mutual  Welfare  League  takes  this  opportunity  to 
express  its  thanks  to  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Com- 
mittee in  general  and  its  representative  at  this  place  in  par- 
ticular, for  the  great  kindness  and  Christian  charity  that  was 
demonstrated  in  giving  to  thirty  of  our  discharged  men  over- 
coats to  keep  them  comfortable.  In  addition  to  the  above  Mr. 
F.  has  neglected  no  chance  to  be  of  comfort  or  service  to  such 
of  us  as  have  been  bereaved  by  loss  of  parents  or  friends, 
whenever  the  fact  has  come  to  his  attention.  He  has  exerted 
himself  to  the  utmost  to  learn  our  prison  routine  that  he 
might  advise  newcomers  and  prove  the  most  good  that  was 
possible  to  all  hands.  Not  content  with  donning  grays,  he 
has  even  spent  a  period  in  Third  Class,  that  he  might  know 
exactly  the  conditions  that  exist  there  and  elsewhere  through 
the  prison.  For  all  this  we  thank  him  and  we  want  him  to 
know  that  his  efforts  are  deserving  of  far  greater  thanks  than 
our  poor  language  can  convey." 


156 


V 
WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

In  the  spring  and  early  summer  of  1918,  war-weary 
France  had  almost  reached  the  limit  of  its  endurance. 
Its  army,  with  those  of  its  allies,  had  for  weeks  been 
forced  backward  and  ever  backward.  By  late  May 
only  the  most  stout-hearted  of  those  still  remaining  in 
the  capital  felt  confident  that  Paris  would  escape  Ger- 
man occupation,  and  many  feared  a  far  worse  fate. 
Bombarded  by  day  and  bombed  by  night,  the  Parisian 
certainly  did  not  lack  variety,  at  least  in  the  round  of 
daily  experience. 

Into  this  tense  situation  at  about  ten  o'clock  one 
evening  during  the  latter  part  of  May  there  came  a 
party  of  ten  American  Christian  Scientists.  This 
group  had  landed  at  Bordeaux  two  days  previous 
from  the  steamer  La  Lorraine,  and  constituted  a 
group  of  authorized  workers  sent  to  France  to  aid  in 
relief  work  among  the  French  war  sufferers  and  to 
extend  to  Christian  Scientists  in  the  army  and  navy 
such  assistance  as  was  considered  proper  under  the 
military  regulations. 

This  party  was  chosen  in  April  and,  excepting  two 
persons  who  were  unable  to  reach  Boston,  assembled 
in  that  city  early  in  May,  where  the  members  were 
instructed  regarding  their  work  as  far  as  this  was 
possible.  They  also  had  the  advantage  of  conferences 
with  the  Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors  and 
with  the  representative  who  had  been  sent  overseas  by 

157 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

the  Board  earlier  in  the  year  to  make  a  preliminary 
investigation  of  conditions  in  France  and  to  report 
back  with  recommendations.  His  experience  and  coun- 
sel now  proved  of  great  value. 

On  May  11,  the  State  Department  approved  and 
issued  the  necessary  passports.  In  conversations  with 
the  Department  at  this  time,  the  Committee  was 
assured  that  any  War  Relief  work  it  might  engage 
in  would  be  acceptable.  At  the  same  time  it  was 
pointed  out  that  all  Welfare  work  in  the  army  camps 
had  already  been  delegated  to  certain  authorized 
agencies,  and  work  abroad  similar  to  that  then  being 
done  by  us  in  the  American  camps,  was  inadvisable. 
Applications  for  passports  having  originally  con- 
tained the  statement  that  our  work  abroad  was  to  be 
that  of  Camp  Welfare,  it  became  necessary  to  modify 
our  plans,  and  the  party  finally  sailed  on  May  14  from 
the  port  of  New  York,  recognized  and  authorized  by 
the  State  Department  as  Christian  Science  War  Re- 
lief Workers.  Neither  the  members  of  this  party  nor 
of  those  constituting  the  third  one  to  cross,  reckoning 
the  Board's  earlier  representatives  as  the  first  party, 
were  thereafter,  at  any  time,  able  to  carry  on  a  work  in 
any  large  degree  comparable  to  that  done  in  the  camps 
and  cantonments  of  the  United  States,  as  related  else- 
where. With  the  full  approval,  however,  of  the  State 
Department  and  the  military  authorities  in  France, 
these  workers  established  and  maintained  in  ten  im- 
portant centers  in  France,  accessible  at  all  times  to 
many  men  in  the  service,  depots  or  Christian  Science 
headquarters.  From  these  depots  there  went  out  in 
ever  increasing  measure  messages  of  health  and  cour- 
age, inspiring  books  and  helpful  literature.  To  them 

158 


Welfare  First 


Welfare  Second 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

also  came  in  a  correspondingly  increasing  ratio,  calls 
for  assistance  of  various  kinds  from  the  many  hun- 
dreds of  Christian  Scientists  in  the  service.  By  adopt- 
ing this  plan  of  organization  and  method  of  work  the 
Committee  was  able,  with  the  numerically  small  group 
of  helpers  at  its  command,  to  render  a  remarkably  effi- 
cient service  and  at  the  same  time  comply  with  the  re- 
quirements of  the  French  and  American  military 
authorities. 

Both  the  authorities  referred  to  at  all  times  dis- 
played the  most  generous  and  cordial  spirit  of  co- 
operation. For  example,  instead  of  sharing  with 
many  other  war  workers  the  not  uncommon  expe- 
rience of  being  delayed  in  Paris  for  weeks,  while 
necessary  travel  and  residence  permits  were  slowly 
going  through  the  mills  of  official  red  tape,  the  party 
was  at  work  within  ten  days.  This  group  was  thus 
quickly  established  and  at  widely  separated  points, 
while  the  experience  of  the  September  party  was 
equally  satisfactory. 

The  succeeding  pages  of  this  chapter  deal  in  detail 
with  the  establishment  of  the  work  and  its  conduct  at 
the  ten  depots  already  mentioned.  Beginning  with  the 
work  at  Langres,  the  capital  of  the  Department  of 
the  Haute-Marne,  where  several  important  American 
military  colleges  were  maintained  throughout  the  war, 
the  story  will  close  with  a  record  of  the  work  done  at 
Romorantin,  the  great  aircraft  production  center, 
which  was  the  last  depot  to  be  opened  and  the  first  to 
close.  The  work  at  Langres  was  undertaken  as  early 
as  March,  1918,  by  one  of  the  two  representatives  first 
sent  to  France  by  the  Board  of  Directors.  Next,  the 
rooms  in  Paris  were  selected  and  the  work  of  getting 

159 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

them  in  shape  began.  These  rooms,  located  at  3  Ave- 
nue de  rOpera,  at  the  head  of  probably  the  best 
known,  and  certainly  one  of  the  most  important  streets 
in  Paris,  were  intended  to  be  the  headquarters  of  the 
Committee  in  France.  They  were  commodious  and 
well-appointed  and  served  not  only  as  official  head- 
quarters but  also  as  an  active  book  and  literature  dis- 
tribution center  and  as  a  home  for  the  many  Science 
boys  who  visited  Paris  or  were  located  there.  Within 
a  stone's  throw  of  the  Louvre  and  the  Palais  Royal, 
these  rooms  were  situated  near  some  of  the  most  his- 
toric spots  in  France.  Other  depots  were  soon  in 
operation  in  the  order  named,  at  Tours,  Bordeaux, 
Brest,  and  St.  Nazaire,  and  these  were  followed  in 
September  by  others,  at  Nantes,  Nevers,  Le  Mans 
and  Romorantin, 

LANGRES 

Langres,  an  old  Roman  town  with  a  history  ante- 
dating the  Christian  era  and  a  population  of  ap- 
proximately 10,000  people,  lies  about  250  kilometers 
southeast  of  Paris.  It  is  situated  on  the  crest  of  a  mag- 
nificent hill  which  dominates  the  countryside  for  many 
miles.  In  the  distance  can  be  seen  the  Swiss  Alps,  with 
Mont  Blanc  sometimes  visible,  and  from  the  other 
side  one  sees  the 'valley  of  the  Marne,  and  the  silver 
thread  of  the  river  whose  name  is  linked  with  so  much 
glorious  bravery  and  stupendously  heroic  effort. 

On  the  direct  line  of  communication  with  the  front, 
and  about  halfway  between  Chaumont,  General 
Pershing's  headquarters,  and  Dijon,  this  city  was  one 
of  the  most  important  centers  of  American  military 
activity  in  all  France.  Langres  has  been  called  "The 

1G0 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

West  Point  of  France."  Twenty-nine  military  schools 
were  located  there,  among  which  were  the  following: 
Army  General  Staff  College,  Army  School  of  the 
Line,  Army  School  of  Intelligence,  Army  Gas  School, 
Army  Candidate  School,  Army  Machine  Gun  School, 
Anti-Aircraft  School,  Army  Tank  Center. 

Langres  being  in  direct  communication  with  the 
front,  day  and  night  there  was  a  constant  stream 
of  convoys  from  Dijon,  where  the  great  bakery 
was  located,  which  sent  20,000  loaves  of  bread  a  day 
to  the  soldiers  in  the  trenches,  and  from  Bordeaux 
and  other  seaports  where  troops  and  supplies  from 
the  United  States  were  unloaded  and  sent  on.  In 
Langres  also  was  located  the  Motor  Transport  Corps, 
a  small  city  in  itself,  with  thousands  of  trucks,  camions 
and  automobiles  constantly  coming  and  going  to  and 
from  the  front  lines.  Troop  trains  filled  with  both 
American  and  French  soldiers  were  hourly  arriving 
and  departing,  besides  which  large  numbers  of  men 
daily  marched  through  the  streets.  Here  were  also  the 
Headquarters  of  the  Advance  Section  under  a  Briga- 
dier-General with  his  staff  and  a  large  corps  of 
officers. 

Six  hospitals  were  located  at  Langres,  among  which 
were :  Base  Hospital  No.  53,  with  200  nurses  and  40 
physicians  and  surgeons,  and  accommodations  for 
2000  patients;  Base  Hospitals  No.  22,  No.  23,  No.  24; 
Camp  Hospital  No.  7,  at  Humes,  a  near-by  small 
town;  and  Camp  Hospital  No.  10,  at  Prauthoy.  These 
camp  hospitals  were  not  as  large  as  the  base  hospitals, 
but  they  had  a  great  many  nurses  and  doctors  and  were 
always  full  of  patients.  At  one  time  the  hospital  at 
Humes  was  filled  with  men  who  had  been  gassed. 

161 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

With  the  permission  of  the  Brigadier-General  in 
command,  our  first  woman  worker  in  France  went  to 
Langres  in  March,  1918,  although  all  civilians  were 
strictly  barred  from  this  sector,  which  was  in  the 
advance  zone.  The  rest  of  the  story  of  the  activity  at 
Langres  is  quoted  from  one  of  her  reports: 

"We  held  services  in  the  Officers'  Club  during  the  months 
of  April  and  May.  In  the  meantime  I  had  been  looking  for  a 
permanent  place  for  our  room,  but  as  Langres  is  such  a 
small  city  and  was  so  crowded  with  American  officers  and 
soldiers,  it  seemed  to  be  a  difficult  thing  to  find  any  suitable 
place.  Finally  a  vacant  building  was  found  which  the  'Y' 
had  formerly  used,  but  which  had  stood  idle  for  some  months. 
I  secured  the  large  front  room  on  the  upper  floor.  This  build- 
ing is  situated  on  rue  Diderot,  the  main  street  of  Langres, 
just  across  from  the  Grand  Hotel  de  l'Europe.  The  room  had 
four  large  windows  on  the  front  which  made  it  bright  and 
cheery  and  was  furnished  in  light  colors,  blue  and  yellow. 
We  had  large  wicker  chairs,  two  handsome  carved  tables  for 
the  literature,  a  good  piano,  a  large  davenport,  other  smaller 
chairs,  and  white  writing  tables.  The  woodwork  was  white; 
we  kept  the  floors  polished,  and  through  the  summer  the  room 
was  filled  with  flowers.  Many  tired  soldier  boys,  just  back 
from  battle,  would  come  in,  sink  down  with  a  sigh,  look 
around  and  say:  'Oh,  it  is  so  clean,  so  like  home.  It's  the 
prettiest  place  in  France.'  " 

"The  Monitor  was  placed  in  the  wards  of  the  big  hospital, 
the  Commanding  Officer  saying  that  he  was  delighted  to  have 
it,  and  the  head  nurse,  who  has  a  copy  of  Science  and  Health 
and  attends  our  services,  took  charge  of  its  distribution. 
Bundles  of  Monitors  were  tied  up  and  placed  on  the  piano  in 
our  room,  so  that  a  man  coming  in  could  help  himself.  And 
the  small  copies  of  Science  and  Health — how  the  boys  did  love 
them  and  how  eager  they  were  to  get  them — also  the  Bibles. 

"We  held  our  Sunday  service  at  2.30  in  the  afternoon,  as 

162 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Room  near  Camp  Grant,  Illinois 


Near  Great  Lakes,  Illinois 


A  homey  room  at  Newport  News,  Virginia 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

many  of  the  men  were  busy  in  the  morning,  and  others  were 
out  quite  a  distance  and  could  not  get  in  before  that  time. 
The  attendance  varied,  as  the  troops  were  constantly  chang- 
ing, but  it  averaged  from  thirty  to  forty-five.  The  room  was 
generally  full  of  earnest,  thoughtful  men,  eager  to  hear  the 
Word  of  God.  The  congregation  was  made  up  from  all  ranks 
of  the  army,  Generals,  Colonels  and  all  classes  of  other  offi- 
cers and  numbers  of  enlisted  men.  These  mingled  and  talked 
together  in  a  way  that  is  only  possible  through  Christian 
Science.  We  were  most  fortunate  about  our  music.  During 
the  whole  time  we  had  a  solo  singer — once  or  twice  boys  with 
really  remarkable  voices,  and  the  solo  added  much  to  the 
service  and  was  enjoyed  and  appreciated  by  all. 

"We  held  our  testimonial  meeting  after  the  service.  This 
was  found  advisable,  as  otherwise  many  men,  who  could  not 
come  in  at  any  other  time,  would  have  been  deprived  of  this 
meeting.  Some  very  thrilling  and  interesting  testimonies  were 
given,  which  were  certainly  proofs  of  God's  protecting  care. 

"There  were  many  calls  for  help  for  all  sorts  of  dis- 
eases— Spanish  influenza,  dysentery,  drunkenness,  sensual- 
ity, smoking,  rheumatism,  men  who  had  been  gassed,  those 
who  had  been  wounded  and  were  in  the  hospital,  etc.  In  many 
cases  the  men  were  directed  to  the  use  of  the  Concordances. 
One  case  of  influenza  was  healed  in  this  way  and  the  young 
man  told  me  afterwards  that  he  had  had  a  fear  of  tubercu- 
losis for  many  years,  which  had  left  him  at  this  time. 

"In  September,  1918,  the  War  Relief  Committee  sent 
2500  francs  to  be  presented  to  the  Mayor  for#the  relief  of  the 
refugees  or  other  victims  of  the  war  who  were  in  Langres. 
The  Mayor  received  us  with  a  great  deal  of  ceremony  in  his 
office,  the  General's  aide  going  as  interpreter.  The  letter  was 
read  with  great  care  and  attention  and  other  officials  were 
called  in  to  hear  it.  The  Mayor  was  most  profuse  in  his  thanks 
and  said  if  at  any  time  he  could  help  in  the  work  he  would  be 
very  glad  to  do  so.  During  the  interview  he  was  asked  to 
correct,  if  possible,  an  impression  that  had  gone  out  in  the 

163 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

city  that  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  was  in 
Langres  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  a  proselyting  cam- 
paign. This  he  promptly  agreed  to  do. 

"A  few  days  later  the  Town  Crier,  who  is  a  very  imposing 
figure,  wearing  a  great  deal  of  gold  braid,  and  who  is  pre- 
ceded by  a  man  with  a  trumpet  which  he  blows  loudly  to  call 
crowds  of  people  together,  went  through  the  streets  announc- 
ing that  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  had 
beneficently  given  the  sum  of  2500  francs  to  the  war  victims 
of  Langres.  The  weekly  edition  of  the  paper  of  the  city  con- 
tained the  same  announcement  and  also  a  statement  from  the 
Mayor  giving  the  object  of  our  work  and  saying  that  we  had 
no  intention  of  interfering  with  the  religious  customs  or 
beliefs  of  the  people  of  Langres. 

"About  three  miles  from  our  Reading  Room,  down  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill,  are  the  Casual  Barracks.  The  men  who  came 
in  there  were  often  just  out  of  the  hospitals,  or  were  changing 
trains,  and  had  no  time  or  strength  to  climb  the  long  hill  to 
the  Reading  Room.  They  were  fed  and  there  were  bunks  in 
which  they  could  sleep,  but  it  was  a  dismal,  cold,  muddy 
place,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  fine  young  officer  who  was 
in  charge.  He  often  came  into  the  Reading  Room  uptown  and 
so  admired  its  color  and  warmth  and  cheer  that  he  said  one 
day,  'Oh,  if  I  could  have  something  like  this  down  at  the 
barracks  for  the  men  who  pass  through  there.' 

"About  that  time  some  new  barracks  were  being  built  at 
the  Casual  Camp,  and  with  the  consent  of  the  Commanding 
General  we  took  one  of  the  larger  rooms,  one  sixty  feet  long, 
and  began  our  work.  The  men  stained  the  rafters  and  ceiling 
and  covered  the  walls  with  raphia.  This  is  a  pongee-colored 
material  which  the  men  at  the  Camouflage  station  gave  us. 
They  built  a  big  twelve-foot  fireplace  in  the.center  of  the  side 
wall.  One  of  the  boys  made  a  couch  sixteen  feet  long,  which  we 
upholstered  and  covered  with  tapestry.  We  also  had  six 
smaller  couches  around  the  wall,  at  intervals,  so  that  the  boys 
could  lie  down  if  they  were  tired.  On  these  we  put  mattresses 

164- 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

and  the  fine  blankets  they  have  in  the  army.  We  also  built 
four  writing  desks.  There  were  twelve  small  windows  in  the 
room  at  which  were  hung  rose-colored  sateen  curtains,  and 
the  effect  against  the  clean  raphia  was  very  attractive.  I  also 
made  two  rose-colored  cushions  for  each  couch  and  for  the 
davenport  and  bought  a  rose-colored  upholstered  chair.  This 
all  added  color  to  the  room  and  made  it  bright  and  cheerful. 
Moreover,  I  found  an  American  rocking  chair  which  was  a 
real  delight  to  the  boys,  as  rocking  chairs  are  unknown  in 
France.  I  took  down  a  long  hardwood  table,  which  I  was  able 
to  rent,  and  a  good  piano,  like  the  one  we  had  in  the  Reading 
Room.  Some  bright  posters  were  hung  on  the  wall  and  over 
the  fireplace  the  head  of  Lincoln  with  some  of  his  immortal 
words.  We  used  to  put  big  logs  on  the  hearth,  on  which  the 
boys  would  pour  crude  oil.  This  made  a  great  blazing  fire 
and  to  the  poor,  tired,  mud-bedraggled  boys  coming  in  out 
of  the  wet  and  cold  and  mud,  there  was  a  glow  of  cheer  and 
warmth  and  comfort  about  it  which  was  very  appealing.  One 
boy  said  to  me,  'When  I  opened  this  door  and  looked  in, 
coming  as  I  did  from  the  mud  and  rain,  I  thought  I  had 
caught  a  glimpse  of  heaven.' 

"On  the  long  tables  were  copies  of  the  Monitor,  Journal 
and  Sentinel,  and  also  some  other  current  magazines.  On  a 
side  table  I  had  Mrs.  Eddy's  writings  and  the  Bible,  and 
the  writing  tables  were  furnished  with  our  letter  paper.  The 
boys  were  always  most  grateful  for  the  stationery  and  a 
quiet  place  in  which  to  write.  On  the  table  was  a  low  reading 
lamp,  and  there  were  colored  shades  on  the  electric  lights. 

"As  there  were  from  500  to  3000  men  passing  through 
these  barracks  each  day,  I  found  many  who  were  interested 
in  Science  and  who  were  delighted  to  get  the  literature.  A 
letter  from  the  lieutenant  in  charge  follows,  showing  his 
appreciation  of  the  room. 

"  'As  my  service  as  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Casual 
Camp  here  seems  to  be  near  an  end,  I  am  going  to  write  you 
this  letter  of  appreciation  now,  lest  I  forget  to  tell  you  what 

165 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

a  great  favor  you  have  done  the  boys  who  have  had  to  stop 
at  this  camp. 

"  'Usually  Casuals  are  in  anything  but  a  pleasant  frame 
of  mind  and  the  very  word  "Casual  Camp"  is  a  bugbear  to 
them.  But  thanks  to  your  efforts  in  getting  the  many  things 
for  furnishing  the  Rest  Room  here,  many  thousands  of  boys 
have  had  a  pleasant  place  to  write  letters,  papers  and  maga- 
zines to  read,  a  piano  to  play  and  a  nice  fireplace  with  a  bully 
fire  to  gaze  at  and  perhaps  see  visions  of  their  homes  back  in 
the  dear  old  U.  S.  A. 

"  'I  take  great  pleasure  in  thanking  you  for  a  kind  and 
unselfish  service  rendered  to  the  men  of  the  A.  E.  F.  who 
have  had  the  benefits  of  your  devotion  to  a  good  cause.' 

"We  had  a  wonderful  time  at  Christmas.  There  were  sev- 
eral boys  who  were  artists  and  decorators,  and  they  took 
great  pleasure  in  the  decoration  of  our  rooms.  Down  at  the 
Casual  Barracks  we  had  a  big  Christmas  tree  and  holly 
wreaths.  There  was  a  dinner  for  the  boys  who  came  through 
that  day  and  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  gave  them  each  a  package. 

"In  the  Reading  Room  the  decorations  were  lovely.  We 
made  long  ropes  of  boxwood  and  hung  it  in  festoons  through 
the  middle  of  the  room.  We  fashioned  two  large  wreaths  of 
the  same  for  the  side  walls.  In  the  front  windows  we  hung 
large  wreaths  of  holly;  the  best  one  of  all  we  put  over  our 
picture  of  The  Mother  Church.  It  was  very  difficult  to  get 
holly — no  one  had  any — but  the  old  Frenchwoman,  in  the 
house  where  I  lived  in  the  summer  time,  gave  me  all  the  holly 
from  one  tree  which  was  in  the  garden.  In  this  way  there  was 
enough  to  make  wreaths  for  the  two  rooms,  our  Reading 
Room  and  the  one  at  the  Casual  Barracks.  We  had  a  big 
basket  of  it  on  the  piano  and  some  on  the  tables,  and  we  kept 
up  a  blazing  fire  in  the  fireplace  and  everyone  who  came  in 
exclaimed  over  the  beauty  of  it  all. 

"Some  of  the  boys  asked  me  if  they  might  invite  some  of 
the  other  men  at  the  barracks  up  to  the  room  for  New  Year's 
Eve,  as  they  were  lonely  and  had  no  other  place  to  go.  Of 

166 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

course  I  said  yes,  and  we  had  a  real  party !  One  of  the  men 
had  received  some  pop  corn  from  the  United  States,  which 
was  a  great  treat,  as  they  do  not  have  it  in  France.  Besides 
this,  they  made  a  big  bucket  of  chocolate,  had  sandwiches,  and 
roasted  chestnuts  in  the  open  fire.  Some  boys  from  the  Glee 
Club  came  up  and  played  and  sang,  and  we  all  sang  some  of 
our  hymns.  Then  we  sat  around  in  the  firelight  (our  gas  went 
out  at  nine  o'clock)  and  told  stories.  It  was  a  most  enjoyable 
time  and  they  were  all  so  appreciative  and  said  they  would 
never  forget  their  New  Year's  Eve  in  the  Christian  Science 
Reading  Room. 

"The  demobilization  began  along  after  Christmas,  the 
Army  Schools  being  gradually  closed,  and  the  outlying  forts 
evacuated.  This  was  not  done  all  at  once,  and  our  congrega- 
tion kept  up  right  along,  averaging  about  thirty  men  each 
service.  This  continued  through  January  and  February  and 
the  Room  was  finally  closed  the  first  of  March,  1919." 


TOURS 

Tours,  with  a  population  of  about  100,000,  is  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  and  interesting  old  cities  of 
France.  In  peace  times  it  is  frequented  by  visitors  of 
all  nations  because  it  is  the  center  of  the  famous 
chateau  district  of  the  Loire  where  much  of  the  early 
history  of  France  was  made,  and  because  it  is  here  that 
the  celebrated  St.  Martin  established  the  Abbey  St. 
Martin  which  played  such  an  important  part  in  the 
history  of  Europe.  It  was  to  this  Abbey  that  all  the 
kings  of  Europe  were  wont  to  repair  with  rich  offer- 
ings for  benisons  upon  their  projected  activities,  good 
and  bad.  Here  also  the  monks  of  the  Abbey  St.  Mar- 
tin and  of  the  Abbey  of  the  Marmoutiers  piied  the  art 
of  bookmaking,  and  in  the  library  at  Tours  are  some 
of  the  finest  specimens  of  these  early  manuscripts. 

167 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

The  normal  population  of  Tours  was  swelled  to 
about  140,000  during  the  war,  by  American  soldiers 
and  refugees.  Tours  was  established  as  the  headquar- 
ters of  the  Service  of  Supply  for  the  American  army 
early  in  1917.  This  branch  of  the  army,  being  as 
necessary  to  the  pursuance  of  war  as  the  army  of 
combat,  caused  Tours  to  become  practically  the  most 
important  city  of  France  from  the  viewpoint  of  the 
American  army. 

The  famous  American  salvage  plant  was  estab- 
lished here,  employing  thousands  of  refugees  and 
saving  millions  of  dollars  a  week  to  the  Americans. 
Railway  lines  running  directly  to  the  headquarters  of 
the  army  of  combat  were  established,  the  large  cen- 
tral prison  camp  for  German  prisoners  was  located 
here,  and  an  elaborate  system  of  telephones  was 
installed,  superior  to  anything  previously  existing  in 
France.  Many  barracks  belonging  to  the  French  were 
leased  by  the  Americans  and  entire  hotels  were  taken 
over  by  our  Government  for  the  use  of  officers  and 
American  women  serving  in  clerical  capacities  for  the 
army. 

At  this  important  point  a  Christian  Science  War 
Relief  Depot  was  established  in  June,  1918,  with  two 
Workers,  a  man  and  his  wife.  After  much  searching 
exactly  the  right  house  was  found  for  our  purposes, 
described  as  follows  in  the  words  of  the  Worker : 

"In  front  of  the  house  is  a  flower  garden  about  25  feet 
square,  filled  with  all  kinds  of  flowers  that  have  given  a  suc- 
cession of  blooms  the  entire  season.  An  iron  fence  encloses 
this  garden,  and  over  this  are  beautiful  trailing  vines.  The 
house  consists,  on  the  ground  floor,  of  a  large  hall  running 
from  front  to  back,  a  salon  and  dining  room  connected  with 
double  doors.  From  the  dining  room  double  doors  open  into 

168 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

a  court  about  10  by  15  feet,  decorated  with  flower  boxes  on 
two  sides,  with  vines  climbing  over  the  wall.  This  place  is 
partly  covered  with  a  glass  roof,  and  with  a  large  electric 
light  and  bamboo  furniture,  it  makes  a  delightful  reading 
room  for  the  hot  evenings.  The  salon  and  dining  room  and 
floral  retreat  are  used  for  reading  rooms  and  answer  the  pur- 
pose very  nicely.  The  second  floor  consists  of  two  large  bed- 
rooms, nicely  furnished,  and  a  bath  room,  with  instantaneous 
heater.  The  third  floor  contains  servants'  quarters,  a  large 
chamber  and  storage  room.  This  little  third-floor  room  has 
been  designated  'the  little  upper  chamber'  and  has  sheltered 
many  a  weary  pilgrim  who  has  found  rest  and  healing  before 
leaving.  Visiting  Scientists  have  always  found  it  ready  for 
them  and  it  has  also  served  as  a  little  retiring  room  to  which 
the  readers  have  gone  for  their  study  and  preparation  before 
the  meetings.  The  first  floor,  parlor,  dining  room  and  floral 
retreat  constitute  the  auditorium  in  which  the  meetings  are 
held." 

Services  were  started  at  once  by  the  Workers,  the 
first  one  being  held  in  the  hotel  room  in  which  the 
Workers  were  temporarily  quartered. 

On  the  Fourth  of  July,  which  came  shortly  after 
our  house  was  opened,  the  Workers  entertained  the 
boys  at  a  luncheon  which  was  much  enjoyed. 

On  the  same  day  a  young  French  boy  came  to  the 
house  and  asked  if  he  might  come  in  and  read  some 
French  literature  on  Christian  Science.  He  could 
speak  only  a  few  words  of  English,  but  fortunately  a 
young  French  girl,  who  was  an  ardent  lover  of  Sci- 
ence, happened  to  be  at  the  rooms,  and  from  her  the 
Workers  learned  that  this  was  the  first  time  the  boy 
had  ever  talked  with  a  Christian  Scientist.  He  told  of 
picking  up  one  of  our  pamphlets  at  the  front  and 
reading  it.  He  said  he  thought  it  was  the  most  won- 

169 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

derful  thing  he  had  ever  heard  about,  that  he  had  read 
and  reread  it,  and  having  seen  our  sign,  thought  he 
would  come  in  and  see  if  he  could  obtain  something 
more  on  the  subject.  The  next  day  he  returned  and 
was  disappointed  not  to  find  the  French  girl  there. 
The  Workers  insisted  on  his  coming  in,  knowing  that 
the  truth  could  not  be  withheld  from  his  hungry  heart. 
They  talked  together  for  an  hour  and  it  was  wonder- 
ful, our  Workers  said,  how  the  truth  expressed  itself 
so  all  could  understand.  He  was  loaned  a  copy  of  the 
French  translation  of  Science  and  Health  and  shown 
how  to  study  the  lesson.  When  he  left  for  the  front  a 
few  days  later,  it  was  with  a  joyful  heart  and  he  sub- 
sequently wrote  to  the  French  girl: 

"At  home  I  read  the  daily  lesson  with  the  keenest  interest 
and  the  greatest  admiration,  and  here  in  the  midst  of  danger 
my  friends  are  ever  wondering  at  my  confidence  and  feel 
surprised  when  they  see  with  what  eagerness  I  study  this 
Science  which  they  know  only  by  name." 

Our  Worker  was  glad  to  be  able  to  contribute  1000 
francs  towards  a  Band  Fund  which  was  being  raised 
to  serve  with  high-class  music  a  permanent  camp  of 
3000  to  5000  men.  This  camp  was  surrounded  by  the 
most  unwholesome  influences  and  the  Commanding 
Officer  himself  subscribed  500  francs  for  the  same  pur- 
pose, so  anxious  was  he  to  help  his  boys.  He  was  most 
pleased  with  our  assistance. 

In  September  the  first  Workers  were  transferred 
to  Paris  and  a  second  couple  arrived  in  Tours  in  that 
month.  By  this  time  there  had  been  established  a  lively 
organization,  comfortably  housed,  witli  readers,  pian- 
ist, soloist  and  usher  for  the  services,  and  a  customary 
attendance  of  thirty  or  more. 

170 


v  ffirrrrrn  irarm 


<k rrraaa  . 

f/ff   pimiTiBiii.   fitlTTmiitliii "T\'A'tt 


Tours,  France,  11  bis  Rue  de  l'Arsenal 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

The  work  continued  to  grow  rapidly  and  on  the 
expiration  of  the  lease,  larger  and  more  centrally 
located  quarters  were  obtained.  By  the  month  of  De- 
cember from  50  to  70  were  in  attendance.  Moreover, 
a  Distribution  Committee  of  officers  and  enlisted  men 
had  been  formed  to  aid  in  preparing  papers  for 
mailing  and  local  distribution,  and  some  of  the  soldiers 
took  upon  themselves  the  loving  duty  of  going  to  the 
hospitals  to  read  or  write  letters  for  afflicted  comrades. 

Arrangements  were  made  with  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secre- 
taries to  post  notices  announcing  that  the  Christian 
Science  lesson  kit  could  be  borrowed  from  the  Secre- 
tary to  study  the  lesson,  and  a  set  was  supplied  every 
Secretary  who  was  willing  to  accept  it. 

One  of  the  duties  of  the  Committee  which  became 
very  heavy  toward  the  end  of  the  war  was  writing  let- 
ters to  soldiers  in  the  field.  These  were  in  reply  to  calls 
for  help.  In  some  instances  the  boys  were  merely 
homesick,  nervous,  discouraged,  or  felt  they  were 
being  discriminated  against  by  officers ;  in  others  seri- 
ous maladies,  vice  and  its  effects,  and  inebriety  had  to 
be  overcome.  In  return,  letters  of  thanksgiving  and 
praise  to  God  were  received,  stating  that  discords  had 
melted  away  into  their  native  nothingness. 

On  every  hand,  among  officers  and  men  there 
existed  a  wonderful  spirit  of  helpfulness.  An  auto- 
mobile was  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Commit- 
tee as  often  as  was  needed  and  a  pass  furnished  by  the 
Post  Commandant  admitting  the  Worker  to  all  Gov- 
ernment enclosures. 

Enlisted  men  who  had  been  sent  to  other  fields 
would  come  back  "home"  to  Tours  on  leave  and  stay 
overnight.  Many  boys  said  they  would  rather  come 

171 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

there  on  permission  than  go  to  Paris.  While  the  open 
hours  were  theoretically  from  1.30  to  9.30  p.m.,  there 
was  no  hour  of  the  day  or  night  when  any  seeker  for 
Truth  was  not  made  welcome.  For  months  the  day 
when  a  guest  did  not  arrive  before  8.30  in  the  morning 
was  rare,  and  few  nights  indeed,  saw  the  last  reluctant 
reader  leaving  the  house  before  11.30.  Many  of  the 
younger  lads  made  a  practice  of  coming  to  the  Rooms 
directly  after  the  evening  meal.  The  first  part  of  the 
evening  they  would  spend  in  study,  then  they  would 
come  into  the  living  room  to  talk  with  the  Workers 
and  other  visitors.  Later  when  all  readers  had  de- 
parted they  would  play  the  piano  for  they  were  seldom 
without  a  good  musician  in  their  midst,  and  the  lads 
spent  many  a  happy  hour  listening  to  good  music. 

Many  hundreds  of  times  the  Workers  heard  the  boys 
say:  "This  is  just  like  home,"  or  "Where  would  we  go 
if  we  didn't  have  a  home  like  this?"  One  boy  wrote 
back  from  a  base  port  speaking  of  a  disagreeable 
environment  in  the  camp,  "You  know,  I  spent  all  my 
spare  time  at  the  House  and  I'd  forgotten  the  manner 
of  conversation  which  goes  on  in  the  barracks."  He 
mentioned,  however,  that  one  of  his  companions  hav- 
ing made  an  evil  remark,  at  once  apologized  to  him, 
not  because  the  Science  boy  gave  any  outward  sign  of 
disapproval,  but  because  he  had  reflected  enough  of 
what  he  had  learned  in  Science  and  Health  to  call 
forth  that  recognition. 

The  French  people  who  came  to  the  meetings 
seemed  much  interested  in  seeing  a  King  James  Ver- 
sion of  the  Bible,  and  a  number  of  copies  of  the  Bible 
and  Science  and  Health  have  gone  into  homes  where 
they  are  being  studied  diligently.  The  Public  Library 

172 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

of  Tours  was  presented  with  two  copies  of  the  French 
edition  of  Science  and  Health,  and  one  can  feel  sure 
that  the  seed  of  Truth  has  thus  been  planted  in  old 
Touraine.  Of  its  fruitage  there  can  be  no  doubt. 

The  Christian  Science  Monitor  was  a  welcome  visi- 
tor in  all  of  the  "Y"  huts  in  and  around  Tours  for 
almost  a  year.  It  was  delivered  each  time  a  shipment 
came,  at  Ramies  Barracks,  Beaumont  Barracks,  Cafe 
du  Palais,  Trianon  Theater  Reading  Room,  Beranger 
Gardens  Officers'  Club,  Hotel  de  Bordeaux  (officers) , 
Hotel  Terminus  (officers),  Hotel  Metropole  (offi- 
cers), Hotel  Negociants  and  Hotel  Central.  The  two 
last-named  hotels  were  occupied  by  the  women  of  the 
A.  E.  F. 

Just  outside  the  city  limits  of  Tours  is  St.  Pierre 
de  Corps,  an  important  railway  transfer  point,  at 
which  the  troops  entrained  and  through  which,  during 
the  fighting  days,  came  men  from  the  base  ports  on 
their  way  to  the  front,  and  wounded  men  coming  back 
to  the  hospitals.  There  the  Committee  supplied  the 
Red  Cross  with  Monitors  and  these  were  seized  with 
avidity  by  one  and  all,  the  men  being  unstinted  in 
their  praise  of  the  paper. 

At  St.  Pierre  was  also  located  the  largest  prison 
camp  of  the  Americans,  where  a  "Y"  was  placed  for 
the  1000  or  more  guards.  Camp  de  Grasse  with  from 
3000  to  5000  men,  Rochambeau  with  an  equal  number, 
and  the  Engineers'  Construction  Camp  with  their 
quota  of  workers  all  received  the  Monitor  regularly. 

The  Second  Aviation  Instruction  Center,  about  six 
kilometers  from  Tours,  had  a  hut  where  there  was 
always  a  great  demand  for  papers.  This  camp  prob- 
ably furnished  the  largest  number  of  regular  attend- 

173 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ants  at  our  services.  During  a  portion  of  the  time  it 
was  impossible  to  get  late  passes  and  the  boys  would 
be  obliged  to  leave  before  the  end  of  the  lesson  and 
then  run  part  of  the  way  up  a  long  steep  hill  to  be 
back  by  ten  o'clock.  As  it  rained  almost  every  day  for 
several  months,  one  can  appreciate  the  devotion  to 
good  which  these  lads  showed.  Later  they  succeeded  in 
getting  special  church  passes. 

Our  Room  in  Tours  continued  to  be  active  during 
the  demobilization  period.  However,  as  one  of  the 
Christian  Science  army  chaplains  was  transferred  to 
this  point,  he  was  able  to  look  after  the  needs  of  the 
Scientists  who  remained.  The  Room  was  closed  on 
June  20, 1919. 

BORDEAUX 

Bordeaux  was  selected  by  the  United  States  as  one 
of  the  principal  base  centers  from  which  to  supply  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  and  accordingly 
large  docks  were  built  on  the  river  Garonne,  fur- 
nished with  all  the  modern  equipment  necessary  to 
handle  expeditiously  immense  tonnage  of  freight,  in- 
cluding many  large  electric  cranes  capable  of  unload- 
ing several  ships  at  one  time.  The  docks  were  con- 
nected with  complete  and  ample  railway  facilities, 
cold  storage  plants  and  vast  warehouses,  and  during 
the  war  a  large  part  of  the  American  supplies  were 
handled  at  this  city. 

Near  the  American  docks  were  two  embarkation 
camps  where  there  were  over  20,000  men  at  all  times, 
new  troops  taking  the  place  of  those  embarking  for 
home.  At  Pauillac  farther  down  the  river  was  another 
embarkation  camp  with  a  capacity  of  10,000  men. 

174. 


War  Relief  Depot,  Le  Mans,  France 


Another  view  of  the  Le  Mans  Depot 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

The  area  occupied  by  this  base  section  was  reported 
to  be  about  30,000  square  miles,  in  which  were  twelve 
American  base  hospitals  and  eight  camp  hospitals 
with  a  total  capacity  of  60,000  beds.  During  the  prog- 
ress of  the  war  the  base  hospitals  near  Bordeaux 
contained  many  sick  and  wounded  brought  back  from 
the  front  in  hospital  trains. 

For  many  months  there  was  at  all  times  a  large 
number  of  American  soldiers  in  this  section,  probably 
never  less  than  50,000.  Before  the  armistice  10,000 
American  motor  trucks  were  continually  operating 
in  the  area,  with  an  army  of  engineers  to  keep  the 
roads  in  repair.  In  normal  times  Bordeaux  is  said  to 
have  265,000  inhabitants  but  during  the  war  its  popu- 
lation increased  to  400,000. 

Our  Workers,  a  man  and  his  wife,  arrived  in  Bor- 
deaux on  June  7,  1918.  After  several  days'  search 
they  found  a  furnished  apartment,  occupying  the 
entire  second  story  of  a  building,  on  a  main  street  of 
the  city  at  187  rue  Fondaudege.  A  large  sunny  front 
room  was  used  for  a  reading  and  writing  room,  in 
the  rear  of  which  was  an  office  which  served  for  dis- 
tribution work.  On  Sundays  these  two  rooms  could  be 
thrown  together  for  services.  There  was  a  small  recep- 
tion hall  used  for  a  practitioner's  office  and  in  the  back 
of  the  apartment  were  a  bedchamber  and  kitchen 
utilized  as  living  quarters  by  the  Workers. 

The  General  in  command  of  this  base  section  re- 
ceived our  Workers  cordially  and  ordered  a  notice  of 
the  rooms  posted  on  the  bulletin  boards  of  all  military 
organizations  under  his  jurisdiction.  Notices  were 
also  placed  in  various  centers  about  the  camps. 
In  one  case  a  young  officer  asked  for  a  dozen  to 

175 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

be  posted  in  conspicuous  places.  He  was  not  a  Scien- 
tist but  he  loved  the  Monitor  and  wanted  to  help 
Christian  Scientists  to  find  our  Rooms. 

Regular  services  were  soon  begun,  being  held  at 
five  o'clock,  an  hour  which  seemed  to  suit  the  great- 
est number  of  men.  The  boys  began  to  come  from  far 
and  near,  all  most  grateful  to  have  found  the  Rooms. 
One  day  after  the  Sunday  service  a  soldier  came 
quietly  to  the  Worker  and  slipped  a  hundred-franc 
note  into  his  hand,  "To  assist  in  the  work  of  the  Com- 
mittee," he  said.  This  was  not  exceptional,  either  in 
this  depot,  or  in  others  in  France.  The  boys  were  eager 
to  show  their  gratitude  for  the  help  received  in  the 
Christian  Science  Rooms  and  our  Workers  regularly 
sent  to  the  Paris  office  sums  ranging,  in  Bordeaux, 
for  instance,  as  high  as  365  francs  ($73)  a  month, 
representing  voluntary  donations  from  men  in  the 
service. 

As  soon  as  the  men  began  to  be  aware  of  the  exist- 
ence of  the  War  Relief  Depot  our  Workers  were 
called  upon  to  send  out  large  quantities  of  literature 
and  to  answer  many  calls  for  help.  They  had  also  to 
devote  some  time  to  the  civilian  population  for  the 
French  themselves  began  to  visit  the  Rooms,  and  find- 
ing the  truth  attractive,  became  regular  attendants  at 
the  Christian  Science  services.  A  French  lady  in  Bor- 
deaux, who  had  been  a  student  of  Christian  Science 
for  several  years  and  whose  appreciation  of  the  oppor- 
tunity to  attend  services  was  very  great,  bought  a 
copy  of  the  French-English  textbook,  donating  it  to 
the  Room  to  be  loaned  as  occasion  arose.  It  was  imme- 
diately loaned  and  was  in  constant  use  ever  after. 
This  same  lady  sent  a  beautiful  potted  plant  on 

176 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

Thanksgiving  Day  as  another  evidence  of  her  grati- 
tude. There  was  proof  in  all  the  War  Relief  Depots 
of  the  growing  interest  in  Christian  Science  among 
the  French  people,  manifested  in  numerous  requests 
for  literature,  calls  for  help  and  attendance  at  the 
sendees. 

When  our  Workers  at  the  Bordeaux  branch  made 
known  their  desire  to  present  the  Mayor  of  the  city 
with  a  check  for  5000  francs  for  the  relief  of  war  suf- 
ferers on  behalf  of  The  Mother  Church  Fund,  the 
American  consul  offered  to  act  as  interpreter.  The 
Mayor  sent  his  secretary  in  an  automobile  to  convey 
our  Workers  to  his  country  home,  where  he  received 
them  most  cordially.  He  was  deeply  moved  on  being 
presented  with  the  check  and  said: 

"This  is  but  one  more  evidence  of  the  bigness  and  thought- 
fulness  and  loving-kindness  of  the  Americans  in  their  desire 
to  help  in  every  way  possible  in  this  terrible  war,  and  I  am 
very  glad  to  accept  this  trust  and  will  do  all  in  my  power  to 
carry  out  their  desires.  If  I  were  not  a  Frenchman  I  would 
want  to  be  an  American." 

Truly  from  his  viewpoint,  this  was  the  highest  praise 
he  could  offer. 

A  most  appreciated  service  rendered  by  our  Work- 
ers in  France  was  in  sending  information  to  friends 
and  families  in  the  United  States  about  their  dear  ones 
in  the  service.  Writing  to  the  Bordeaux  office,  one 
mother  says: 

"Your  epistle  of  July  10  is  at  hand.  Words  fail  me  to 
express  my  appreciation  and  thanks.  You  cannot  imagine 
my  surprise  when  I  read  your  letter,  nor  my  happiness.  I 
cried  for  joy.  Just  to  hear  from  someone  who  was  with  my 
dear  boy,  and  then  to  know  that  Love  Ls  finding  a  way.  .  .  . 

177 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

I  received  a  letter  yesterday  from  my  son  telling  me  of  your 
gift  (a  vest-pocket  textbook)  and  of  the  fine  talks  you  had 
had.  It  certainly  is  a  pleasure  to  me,  and  a  great  comfort,  to 
know  you  and  your  wife  visit  him." 

Of  Thanksgiving  in  the  Bordeaux  Rooms  the 
Workers  wrote: 

"The  Thanksgiving  service  was  truly  a  joyous  occasion, 
and  in  the  testimonials  given  much  gratitude  was  expressed 
for  the  help  and  benefits  received  in  Christian  Science.  At 
six  o'clock  when  our  dinner  was  prepared  the  five  boys  who 
were  reading  and  writing  in  the  Rooms  at  that  time  were 
invited  to  share  it.  Their  surprise  and  happiness  were  spon- 
taneous and  genuine,  and  as  they  gathered  around  the  table, 
all  agreed  that  it  was  'just  like  home.'  " 

As  elsewhere  the  healing  work  at  Bordeaux  was  the 
most  important  phase  of  the  activity.  One  incident 
may  be  related  to  show  something  of  what  was  accom- 
plished. An  officer  wounded  in  battle  was  brought  to 
a  hospital  near  this  city,  and  being  a  student  of  Chris- 
tian Science  telegraphed  for  treatment.  He  was  very 
ill,  but  was  resisting  with  all  his  understanding  the 
surgeons'  determination  to  amputate  his  leg.  Treat- 
ment was  given  him  at  once,  his  condition  improved 
and  when  the  Worker  visited  him  he  said  he  knew 
the  demonstration  was  made  and  that  Christian  Sci- 
ence had  saved  his  leg.  His  gratitude  was  very  great. 

The  Bordeaux  Room  was  very  active  during  the 
earlier  months  of  demobilization,  but  was  finally 
closed  on  May  31,  1919.  As  the  last  Sunday  services 
were  so  well  attended,  arrangements  were  made  to 
continue  them  in  a  Red  Cross  hut  as  long  as  any 
soldiers  remained  in  this  area. 

178 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

BREST 

About  fifty  per  cent  of  the  American  Expedition- 
ary Forces  entered  France  through  the  port  of  Brest. 
This  city  was  France's  main  naval  port  before  the  war 
but  had  not  much  importance  from  a  commercial 
standpoint.  Its  normal  population  of  about  90,000  was 
increased  to  120,000  by  the  influx  of  troops. 

There  were  a  number  of  camps  located  in  the  envi- 
rons of  Brest,  and  four  hospitals  in  or  near  the  city, 
one  at  Kerhuon  having  4000  beds,  another  at  Camp 
Pontanezan  with  the  same  number  and  Naval  Bases 
No.  1  and  No.  5  having  500  beds  each,  making  a  total 
of  9000. 

The  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Workers  arrived 
in  June,  1918.  They  had  been  supplied  by  the  Paris 
Scientists  with  the  name  of  one  Christian  Scientist, 
a  sailor  who  was  on  a  destroyer  working  from  this 
base. 

A  note  had  been  sent  to  this  young  man  and  on  the 
second  day  after  the  arrival  of  the  Workers  he  called, 
bringing  with  him  a  nurse  who  had  become  interested 
in  Science  before  leaving  America.  The  nurse  knew 
of  another  Scientist,  then  a  patient  in  the  hospital  to 
which  she  was  attached,  and  of  two  others  slightly 
interested.  It  was  decided  to  begin  services  at  once,  so 
on  the  following  Sunday  the  first  Christian  Science 
service  ever  held  in  Brest  took  place  with  five  persons 
present.  This  number  increased  steadily  until  the  aver- 
age attendance  reached  about  thirty. 

Of  their  first  experiences  the  Workers  write : 

"Upon  our  arrival  here,  we  thought  we  had  never  seen  so 
dirty  a  place,  both  morally  and  physically.  Needless  to  say 
we  were  unable  to  find  either  a  Room  for  our  War  Relief 

179 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

work  or  even  an  apartment  in  which  to  live  until  we  had 
proved  somewhat  the  unreality  of  the  seeming  evil.  The  de- 
termination to  see  at  least  one  good  thing  as  we  passed  down 
the  street,  and  to  be  grateful  for  it,  was  the  key  which  opened 
the  way  here,  bringing  blessing  to  numbers  of  others.  This 
one  good  pure  thing  which  was  uncontaminated  by  the  belief 
of  evil  which  seemed  to  attach  itself  to  everything  else,  was 
the  sunshine.  Being  grateful  for  the  sunshine  opened  our 
eyes  to  other  good  things — the  Rooms  were  soon  found  and 
opened,  and  a  suitable  place  to  live  speedily  followed." 

The  Rooms  secured  by  the  Committee  were  at  16 
rue  Amiral  Linois,  and  were  cleaned  and  renovated 
for  our  purposes.  Across  the  front  of  the  room  there 
extended  a  large  window  and  on  its  ledge  our  litera- 
ture was  displayed — a  late  Monitor,  Le  Heraut 
opened  at  a  convincing  testimony  of  healing,  the  vest- 
pocket  Science  and  Health  and  a  copy  of  the  French- 
English  edition  of  the  same  book.  Many  passers-by 
stopped  to  glance  at  the  window  and  eventually  came 
into  the  Rooms. 

In  order  to  work  with  the  men  in  the  outlying  camps 
it  was  necessary  to  secure  permission  from  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  Secretary  in  charge  of  the  district.  He  readily 
gave  his  consent  and  the  Base  Commander  added  his 
approval  and  gave  our  Worker  a  permanent  pass  good 
for  all  camps  in  Army  Base  No.  5.  Cards  announcing 
the  location  of  the  Rooms  were  posted  in  the  "Y"  huts 
in  town  and  the  Scientists  soon  began  to  be  aware  of 
the  presence  of  the  Workers.  A  later  order  from  the 
War  Department  placed  our  work  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  chaplain,  but  it  was  allowed  to  continue 
uninterruptedly. 

At  the  camps  in  the  district  where  permission  to 
visit  town  was  rarely  granted,  boxes  for  communica- 

180 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

tion  were  established  in  the  "Y"  huts.  Into  these, 
Christian  Scientists  who  wished  to  see  the  Worker  or 
send  him  a  message,  dropped  their  names.  Hundreds 
of  boys  were  located  in  this  way. 

Literature  distribution  was  carried  on  in  this  Depot 
on  the  same  scale  as  elsewhere,  the  Monitor  work 
growing  from  25  to  225  daily. 

From  the  first  there  was  a  very  healthy  interest 
manifested  by  the  French  people  of  Brest.  The 
French  textbooks  in  the  Lending  Library  were  in  con- 
stant circulation.  Our  Workers  mention  a  French 
doctor,  a  Belgian  soldier,  a  French  sergeant  and  a 
French  sailor  among  a  number  of  others  to  whom  the 
textbook  was  given  or  sold.  One  day  a  Frenchman 
who  had  purchased  a  Science  and  Health  some  months 
previous,  came  in  to  express  his  happiness  at  having 
found  this  satisfying  and  helpful  religion.  His  con- 
versation revealed  the  fact  that  he  was  a  careful  stu- 
dent and  had  made  splendid  progress.  As  he  was  about 
to  go,  he  gave  the  attendant  a  fifty- franc  note,  saying: 

"I  know  you  must  have  many  expenses  here.  My  happiness 
is  unbounded  and  I  want  to  help  make  it  possible  for  others  to 
know  about  this  religion." 

An  interesting  case  of  healing  which  occurred  in 
the  Brest  Depot  was  that  of  a  French  sergeant.  He 
borrowed  Science  and  Health,  and  later  became  so 
interested  in  it  that  he  bought  a  copy  in  leather  bind- 
ing. He  told  the  Workers  that  he  had  been  healed  of 
insomnia  by  reading  the  book  and  that  a  disease  of 
the  heart  was  also  disappearing  in  the  same  way. 
There  were  also  many  calls  from  the  American  sol- 
diers and  our  Workers  were  kept  very  busy  respond- 

181 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ing  to  letters,  telegrams  and  messages  asking  for 
treatment  in  Christian  Science. 

The  Brest  Depot  was  one  of  the  last  of  the  Rooms 
to  close  as  a  great  number  of  men  passed  through  the 
city  during  the  demobilization  period. 

ST.  NAZAIRE 

In  the  first  week  of  July,  1918,  a  Christian  Science 
War  Relief  Depot  was  opened  in  the  city  of  St. 
Nazaire,  France.  It  was  ideally  located  on  the  rue 
Ville-es-Martin,  the  main  highway  for  the  motor  bus 
lines  operating  between  St.  Nazaire  and  the  outlying 
army  camps.  The  rooms  taken  for  this  purpose  were 
on  the  ground  floor  and  had  formerly  been  used  for  a 
buvette  or  bar  room.  They  were  comfortably  fur- 
nished by  the  Committee  with  a  piano,  writing  desks 
and  easy-chairs,  and  flowers  on  the  tables  always 
added  a  bright  and  cheerful  touch.  Some  months  after 
they  were  opened  two  sailors  entered  expecting  to  find 
the  buvette  of  former  days.  Undaunted  by  the 
marked  change,  however,  they  remained  and  read  for 
some  time. 

St.  Nazaire  is  not  an  old  city,  as  cities  go  in  France, 
the  first  Mayor  having  taken  office  in  1790.  Until  that 
time  the  village  had  been  nothing  more  than  a  coast 
fishing  town.  It  was  admirably  situated  for  a  port  of 
commerce,  however,  standing  as  it  does  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Loire  River,  and  when  a  floating  dock  was  built 
to  meet  the  difficulties  presented  by  the  changing  tides, 
the  city  became  an  important  port. 

It  was  selected  by  the  American  Government  as  one 
of  the  chief  debarkation  ports  for  the  American 
troops  and  the  population  of  the  city  increased 
enormously  on  this  account.  In  normal  peace  times  the 

182 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

inhabitants  numbered  approximately  40,000,  whereas 
a  conservative  estimate  of  the  permanent  population 
located  in  St.  Nazaire  and  its  environs  during  the  war, 
was  85,000. 

Just  west  of  the  city  a  large  camp  accommodating 
12,000  soldiers  was  built.  This  was  only  used  for  con- 
centration purposes,  however,  for  both  the  American 
and  British  troops.  The  Americans  later  built  numer- 
ous camps  about  the  city,  holding  from  400  to  2000 
men  each.  Montoir,  a  near-by  point,  should  properly 
be  included  in  the  St.  Nazaire  area. 

Besides  the  camps,  the  following  hospitals  were 
located  at  St.  Nazaire:  Base  Hospital  No.  101 ;  Camp 
Hospital  No.  11;  Field  Hospital  No,  44;  Evacuation 
Ambulance  Company  No.  22;  Mobile  Ambulance 
Company  No.  44;  Base  Dispensary;  Medical  Detach- 
ment Embarkation  Camp.  The  personnel  of  these 
various  hospitals  totaled  95  officers,  759  men  and  106 
nurses. 

When  the  War  Relief  Depot  was  first  opened  regu- 
lar Christian  Science  services  were  held  on  Sunday 
and  Wednesday.  Later,  in  order  to  accommodate  sol- 
diers coming  from  outlying  camps,  two  services  were 
held  on  Sunday.  The  meetings  were  conducted  entirely 
by  the  men,  who  assumed  the  duties  of  readers,  pian- 
ist and  soloist.  The  readers  were  elected  for  a  period 
of  two  months.  The  congregation  represented  many 
different  branches  of  the  service,  sailors,  marines,  sol- 
diers, Y.  M.  C.  A.  workers,  nurses,  all  military  dis- 
tinctions being  laid  aside  when  one  entered  the  room. 
There  was  a  very  good  attendance,  averaging,  our 
Worker  says,  about  thirty. 

The  literature  distribution  work  grew  by  leaps  and 

183 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

bounds.  Monitors  were  supplied  to  troop  trains  leav- 
ing for  the  front  and  to  ships  returning  to  the  States. 
"Y"  huts,  Red  Cross  stations,  hospitals,  military 
camps,  Officers'  Clubs,  the  American  Commissary  De- 
partment, hotels,  barber  shops,  restaurants  and  many 
other  places  received  the  Monitor,  an  average  of  400 
a  week  being  distributed  in  this  way.  There  was  also 
a  large  demand  for  textbooks,  Bibles,  Quarterlies  and 
the  other  periodicals. 

Our  Worker  presented  the  Mayor  of  St.  Nazaire 
with  a  check  for  2500  francs  on  behalf  of  the  Commit- 
tee for  the  relief  of  war  sufferers.  Shortly  afterwards 
there  appeared  in  one  of  the  leading  newspapers  a 
notice  from  which  we  quote  in  part : 

"In  the  list  of  subscriptions  collected  is  a  gift  of  2500 
francs  given  by  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee 
whose  main  office  is  at  3  Avenue  de  VOpera,  Paris. 

"This  Committee  maintains  an  office  at  St.  Nazaire  at 
130  rue  Ville-es-Martin,  managed  by  Miss  B. 

"Its  benevolent  action,  which  is  extended  to  all  who  suffer 
from  hostilities,  is  manifested  in  the  form  of  help  in  money 
and  supplies. 

"The  municipality  has  expressed  its  hearty  thanks  to  the 
generous  donors  whose  act  will  permit  it  to  relieve  some 
misfortunes." 

As  in  other  places,  the  Rooms  became  a  home  to  the 
Science  boys  and  as  was  fitting,  a  home  dinner  was 
served  on  Thanksgiving  Day  to  about  twenty  persons. 
Even  the  chef  and  his  assistants  were  Scientists.  It 
was  a  real  Thanksgiving  feast  with  turkey  and  "all 
the  fixins',"  as  the  boys  put  it. 

Christmas  also  did  not  pass  without  observance. 
Two  large  trees  were  secured  through  the  efforts  of 
the  boys,  and  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  furnished  a  box  of 

184 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

decorations.  Adjacent  to  the  Room  were  quartered 
some  men  from  the  Medical  Corps  who  helped  by- 
furnishing  two  large  containers  of  coffee  and  choco- 
late. This,  with  French  biscuits,  jam  and  candy,  con- 
stituted the  refreshments.  The  men's  pleasure  was 
unmistakable  and  they  were  particularly  appreciative 
of  the  fact  that  here  they  were  free  from  army  disci- 
pline. 

Much  could  be  written  of  the  healing  work  accom- 
plished in  this  depot,  and  the  following  letter  sent  to 
our  Worker  will  perhaps  serve  to  illustrate  many 
other  cases. 

"I  received  your  favor,  enclosing  the  two  Quarterlies  and 
two  pieces  of  literature,  and  your  kind  note,  today.  I  was 
delighted  to  get  it  all  and  am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for 
sending  it  to  me.  I  don't  remember  whether  I  mentioned  in 
my  other  letter  that  the  diagnosis  card  which  came  with  me 
showed  a  compound  fracture  of  the  leg,  but  the  X-ray  picture 
taken  here  showed  no  fracture  at  all.  The  doctor  here  was 
puzzled  as  to  how  the  first  X-ray  could  have  made  a  mistake. 
Whether  he  made  a  mistake  or  not,  I  do  not  know,  but  I  do 
know  that  I  have  great  cause  for  gratitude  for  what  under- 
standing I  have  of  Christian  Science.  The  leg  is  coming  along 
in  very  good  shape  and  I  expect  to  be  on  my  way  back  to 
join  my  company  soon." 

NANTES 

When  France  was  called  Gaul,  and  Brittany  was 
Armorica,  Nantes  already  existed  as  a  seaport  of  some 
importance.  There  are  in  the  museums  and  archives 
relics  and  inscriptions  dating  to  200  A.  D.  which  show 
that  the  city  was  a  place  of  some  consequence  even  at 
that  early  date.  The  history  of  Nantes  for  three  or 
four  hundred  years  after  the  second  century  reads  like 
the  story  of  "The  House  That  Jack  Built,"  for  the 

185 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Bretons  came,  saw  and  conquered,  and  were  followed 
in  turn  by  the  Franks  and  later  by  the  Normans,  until 
finally  the  "invading  hordes  were  vanquished"  and  a 
measure  of  peace  reigned.  Houses  were  then  built 
outside  the  old  city  walls,  docks  and  quays  sprang 
up  along  the  river,  and  at  last  a  cathedral  appeared 
high  on  the  hill  which  dominates  the  city. 

The  location  of  Nantes,  only  fifty-five  kilometers 
from  the  sea,  and  at  the  junction  of  the  railroad  lines 
from  Bordeaux,  Brest,  St.  Nazaire  and  Paris,  with 
direct  communication  with  Brest  by  canal,  made  it  an 
advantageous  freight  port,  and  great  quantities  of 
food  and  ammunition  passed  through  it  before  and 
after  the  armistice.  Fifty  thousand  refugees  from  the 
devastated  districts  of  France  and  from  Belgium  were 
allotted  to  Nantes  as  the  quota  of  the  fifth  largest  city 
in  the  country.  Its  narrow  streets  were  crowded  with 
soldiers  and  sailors.  American  hospitals  sprang  up 
and  American  ships  sailed  up  the  Loire,  and  Nantes, 
which  had  been  proud  of  its  provincialism,  proud  of 
being  "different"  even  from  the  rest  of  France, 
Nantes,  which  had  known  nothing  of  America,  became 
a  supply  depot  for  the  American  army. 

The  most  important  single  branch  of  activity  was 
centered  at  the  vast  Motor  Transport  Park,  where 
hundreds  of  motor  cars  and  trucks  were  assembled 
every  day.  After  the  armistice  Nantes  became  a 
billeting  area  for  troops  returning  to  the  United 
States  and,  during  the  winter,  men  from  all  branches 
of  the  service  were  stationed  there  waiting  to  go  home. 
At  one  time  the  personnel  of  forty-seven  American 
hospital  units  were  awaiting  transportation.  There 
were  also,  of  course,  many  men  regularly  stationed  at 

186 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

Nantes,  Pioneer  Infantry,  Engineers,  Marines,  the 
Quartermasters'  Corps,  and  there  was  an  aviation  field 
at  St.  Jean  de  Monts. 

In  a  suburb  of  Nantes  an  American  hospital  center 
was  established  consisting  of  five  units  accommodat- 
ing about  ten  thousand  men.  At  Savenay,  in  the 
Nantes  area,  was  the  largest  hospital  center  in  France, 
said  to  care  for  between  eighty  and  a  hundred  thou- 
sand men.  These  were  base  hospitals  and  provided  for 
fracture,  neuropathic,  tubercular  and  contagious  cases 
as  well  as  convalescents. 

There  were  eight  permanent  Y.  M.  C.  A.  huts  in  or 
near  Nantes — all  rather  small  by  comparison  with 
those  in  other  places.  The  American  Red  Cross  had 
three  huts  in  the  city,  one  at  Clisson  for  a  short  time 
and  several  at  the  hospital  at  Savenay.  The  Knights 
of  Columbus  did  not  open  rooms  at  Nantes  until  Jan- 
uary, 1919,  although  they  tried  several  times  to  find 
a  satisfactory  location,  and  the  Jewish  Welfare  Board 
did  not  come  until  the  latter  part  of  February,  1919, 
while  the  Salvation  Army  had  no  building  at  all.  This 
made  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Rooms  of  sin- 
gular importance.  When  the  Christian  Scientists 
arrived  in  September,  1918,  only  four  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  huts  had  been  opened,  and  the  War  Relief 
Rooms,  completely  and  comfortably  furnished,  were 
therefore  especially  welcome. 

The  Depot  was  located  in  the  center  of  the  city,  at 
the  junction  of  two  of  the  most  important  streets,  one 
leading  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  city  hut,  and  the  other  to 
what  was  later  the  headquarters  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus.  Just  around  the  corner  were  the  American 
Post  Office  and  the  headquarters  of  the  American 

187 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

army.  The  Rooms  consisted  of  a  large  salon,  which 
the  soldiers  used  as  a  lounging  room,  with  comfortable 
chairs  and  a  cheerful  open  fireplace.  Here  Chris- 
tian Science  services  were  held  every  Sunday  and 
Wednesday.  Adjoining  this  room — connecting  with  it 
by  a  large  doorway — was  the  reading  room,  arranged 
with  tables  for  reading  and  writing.  Next  to  the  read- 
ing room  was  a  small  office  and  on  the  other  side  of 
the  corridor  was  a  business  office  where  French  peo- 
ple and  refugees  applying  for  help  could  be  received. 
Opening  out  of  this  was  a  large  room  where  Christian 
Science  literature  and  warm  clothing  for  civilians  and 
soldiers  were  stored,  and  where  the  literature  was 
wrapped  for  mailing. 

Letters  were  received  daily  asking  for  literature 
from  men  in  the  various  barracks  and  hospitals,  and 
aside  from  this  distribution  of  Sentinels,  Journals, 
Herauts,  pamphlets  and  Quarterlies,  a  hundred 
Monitors  were  mailed  each  day  to  individuals  who  had 
asked  for  them,  and  to  all  the  relief  huts.  It  was  not  at 
all  uncommon  for  officers,  not  Christian  Scientists,  to 
send  their  orderlies  to  the  Rooms  for  Monitors,  and 
they  often  came  themselves  and  asked  if  they  might 
subscribe  for  the  paper  for  a  month  or  two. 

The  soldiers'  edition  of  Science  and  Health  was 
always  in  demand.  The  little  books  could  be  read  so 
easily  and  inconspicuously  that  the  men  were  able  to 
use  them  under  all  circumstances,  and  only  a  soldier 
knows  what  that  means.  They  were  read  in  bunks  and 
hospital  beds  and  freight  cars,  as  well  as  in  forests 
and  trenches  at  the  front,  and  everywhere  they  carried 
the  same  message  of  healing  and  comfort.  In  order  not 
to  mar  them,  many  men  carried  the  books  in  their  little 

188 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

boxes  in  an  inside  pocket,  and  the  reverence  and  grati- 
tude with  which  they  handled  them  showed  how  great 
a  value  they  placed  upon  them. 

There  were  few  requests  from  civilians  in  Nantes 
for  literature.  Some  French  people  visited  the  Rooms 
confessedly  out  of  curiosity  and  each  of  these  asked 
for  French  pamphlets.  A  few,  however,  became  sin- 
cerely interested  in  Christian  Science,  bought  the 
books  and  attended  an  occasional  service;  but  for  the 
most  part  they  had  little  desire  to  "think  on  these 
things,"  being  profoundly  concerned  with  human 
affairs.  Those  who  were  interested  enough  to  study  the 
literature  iound  Science  and  Health  so  entirely  satis- 
fying that  they  no  longer  wanted  to  read  anything 
else,  and  they  invariably  had  a  great  appreciation  of 
Mrs.  Eddy. 

The  people  of  Nantes  for  the  most  part  understood 
and  praised  the  purpose  of  the  Christian  Science  War 
Relief  Committee.  When  it  became  known  that  the 
Christian  Scientists  had  given  5000  francs  for  the 
relief  of  the  refugees  during  the  winter,  a  great  deal 
of  gratitude  and  a  very  friendly  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  Workers  was  expressed.  The  news  of  the 
gift  to  the  city  and  the  willingness  of  the  committee  to 
help  with  the  Community  Christmas  tree  were  sub- 
jects for  much  conversation  in  Nantes  for  many  days. 
The  tree,  too,  to  which  were  given  warm  clothing, 
candy  bags,  and  toys  for  two  hundred  war  orphans, 
was  a  complete  success,  and  seemed  to  add  to  the  im- 
pression already  abroad  that  Christian  Science  was  in 
every  way  a  religion  to  be  commended.  As  a  practical 
proof  of  appreciation  our  War  Relief  Committee  was 
given  the  place  of  honor  at  the  New  Year's  dinner 

189 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

given  by  the  French  to  two  hundred  American  officers, 
and  the  Workers  were  put  at  the  table  with  the 
colonel  in  command  of  the  American  troops  in  that 
district,  and  other  especially  distinguished  guests. 

Thanksgiving  and  Christmas  gave  our  Committee 
an  opportunity  to  give  a  little  special  pleasure  to  some 
of  the  soldiers  who  would  otherwise  have  had  only 
the  dull  round  of  duty  and  the  cheerlessness  of  bar- 
racks and  hospitals  on  those  days  when  home  seems 
particularly  dear.  On  Thanksgiving  Day  a  big  turkey 
dinner  was  spread  in  the  reading  room,  and  all  who 
came  were  made  happy  by  the  sight  and  taste  of  the 
familiar  bird,  surrounded  by  many  kinds  of  vegetables 
in  true  American  style,  and  adorned  on  either  side 
with  plates  of  "wonderful  white  bread" — a  real  lux- 
ury. The  Thanksgiving  dinner  was  such  a  success  that 
two  turkeys  were  prepared  at  Christmas  time,  and 
more  guests  invited,  and  apple  pies  and  strawberry 
tarts  were  added  to  the  menu,  and  there  was  a  Christ- 
mas tree  with  candy  bags  and  tinsel,  and  there  were 
branches  of  holly  and  mistletoe  tied  with  red  ribbon! 
At  the  testimonial  meeting  which  occurred  that  night 
many  men  expressed  gratitude  for  the  Rooms  that  had 
been  provided  by  Christian  Scientists  for  the  soldiers 
in  France,  and  for  the  comfort  and  protection,  as  well 
as  for  the  healing,  which  those  Rooms  had  brought  to 
them. 

The  work  of  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Com- 
mittee in  Nantes,  was,  of  course,  largely  among  those 
who  needed  healing.  The  men  in  the  hospitals  who 
knew  something  of  Christian  Science  were  anxious  to 
have  that  help,  and  many  others  who  heard  that  there 
were  Christian  Scientists  in  the  vicinity  asked  for 

190 


War  Relief  Depot,  Brest,  France 


War  Relief  Depot,  Nevers,  France 


War  Relief  Depot  at 
St.  Nazaire,  France 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

treatment.  Some  of  the  nurses  and  other  workers  who 
were  interested  in  Science  encouraged  the  men  to  turn 
to  it  when  all  other  help  seemed  to  have  failed,  and 
again  and  again  in  such  instances  treatment  was  given 
and  the  patient  healed.  Men  were  relieved  quickly  of 
shell  shock  and  healed  almost  instantly  of  influenza, 
mumps,  headaches,  sore  throat,  and  infection.  Treat- 
ment was  begun  for  one  man  who  had  had  both  legs 
shattered  and  had  been  lying  for  more  than  six  months 
with  the  bedclothes  held  away  from  him,  as  the  slight- 
est weight  caused  suffering.  In  a  little  over  three 
weeks  he  was  able  to  be  partially  dressed  and  go  home 
to  the  United  States.  Another  case  of  lost  memory, 
resulting  from  a  year's  constant  service  at  the  front, 
was  healed  within  a  few  days,  and  a  lieutenant,  with  a 
severe  attack  of  influenza  and  a  very  high  tempera- 
ture, was  healed  of  the  fever  and  of  the  other  symp- 
toms of  the  disease  before  he  reached  the  hospital  to 
which  he  had  been  ordered.  Another  lieutenant  was 
healed  of  a  condition  of  insanity  in  a  few  hours  and 
was  sent  home  a  short  time  after. 

Many  men  were  healed  while  reading  Science  and 
Health.  One  officer  who  had  been  told  that  he  was 
in  a  very  serious  condition  with  heart  trouble  and  that 
it  would  be  months,  perhaps  years,  before  he  would  be 
able  to  go  upstairs  comfortably,  heard  of  Christian 
Science  through  a  French  boy  who  had  been  reading 
the  literature,  and  sent  to  the  reading  room  for  "the 
little  book."  He  was  healed  after  reading  for  ten  days, 
and  called  at  the  Rooms  to  ask  questions  and  to  leave 
a  generous  donation  to  the  War  Relief  Committee. 

It  would  be  possible  to  multiply  these  cases  many 
times  but  enough  has  been  said  to  indicate  that  the 

191 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Rooms  in  Nantes  were  a  center  from  which  radiated 
healing,  comfort  and  joy  to  the  men  in  this  area. 
They  continued  to  do  a  splendid  work  until  April, 
1919,  when  the  departure  of  the  troops  made  their 
maintenance  no  longer  necessary. 

NEVERS 

Christian  Science  War  Relief  Rooms  were  opened 
in  the  town  of  Nevers,  France,  in  September,  1918. 
Situated  at  the  confluence  of  the  Nievre  and  Loire 
rivers,  Nevers  is  almost  the  central  point  of  France, 
being  157  miles  from  Paris.  Its  principal  industry  is 
pottery,  which  has  been  handed  down  from  father  to 
son  since  the  seventeenth  century.  Aside  from  the  pot- 
tery works  and  small  mercantile  establishments,  Ne- 
vers is  the  center  of  an  agricultural  district. 

Like  many  cities  of  France,  its  history  dates  back 
to  the  old  Roman  times.  The  ancient  Roman  walls 
overgrown  with  ivy,  the  ducal  palace  of  feudal  times, 
the  beautiful  old  cathedral  of  St.  Cyr  with  its  flam- 
boyant Gothic  architecture,  the  church  of  St.  Etienne 
founded  in  the  reign  of  Thierry  II,  King  of  France 
about  the  year  600,  and  several  fine  towers  and  gates, 
are  all  of  interest  to  the  visitor. 

The  Christian  Science  Rooms  served  not  only  the 
boys  located  in  the  Service  of  Supply  branches  of  the 
American  army  in  Nevers  (locomotive  repair  shops, 
Quartermasters'  Corps,  railroad  men,  engineers  and 
labor  troops  numbering  about  25,000)  but  also  the 
Hospital  Centers  of  Mesves  twenty-five  miles  north, 
Mars  about  ten  miles  south,  Pouges  les  Eaux  six  miles 
north,  and  the  Motor  Repair  shops  at  Verneuil 
twenty-five  miles  east.  During  the  month  of  October, 

192 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

1918,  there  were  over  39,000  patients  at  Mesves,  and 
about  30,000  at  Mars  and  Pouges  les  Eaux.  The  Ver- 
neuil  shops  were  run  by  about  10,000  of  Uncle  Sam's 
boys. 

The  Workers  arrived  in  Nevers  on  September  15, 
1918,  and  at  once  had  a  most  satisfactory  interview 
with  the  Commanding  General  of  the  section.  He 
offered  them  the  use  of  the  army  transport  service 
whenever  needed  and  referred  them  to  the  billeting 
officer,  who  was  of  great  assistance  in  locating  quar- 
ters for  the  Reading  Rooms. 

These  were  opened  on  the  ground  floor  at  5  Avenue 
St.  Just.  This  street  was  the  main  thoroughfare  for 
both  civilians  and  soldiers,  on  the  direct  road  to  near- 
by camps.  The  transformation  from  a  French  pastry 
shop  to  Christian  Science  Reading  Rooms  proved 
interesting.  The  permanent  fixtures  in  the  large  room 
consisted  of  a  cashier's  desk  at  the  rear  and  small 
counters  on  either  side.  These  proved  to  be  most  use- 
ful, the  cashier's  desk  making  an  excellent  Reader's 
desk  during  the  services,  while  the  counters  afforded 
ample  space  for  the  display  of  literature,  the  enclosed 
shelving  being  used  for  supplies.  The  entire  rear  wall 
was  covered  with  a  mirror  and  there  were  large  mir- 
rors also  above  the  counters.  It  was  the  desire  of  the 
workers  to  combine  beauty  with  comfort  in  the  rooms 
and  to  give  the  impression  of  an  American  living 
room.  This  was  accomplished,  and  it  meant  much  to 
the  boys  in  contrast  with  the  barrenness  of  army 
barracks. 

In  addition  to  the  permanent  fixtures,  a  large  read- 
ing table  was  placed  in  the  center  of  the  room  on  which 
were  all  of  Mrs.  Eddy's  works,  Bibles  and  other  litera- 

193 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ture.  A  picture  of  The  Mother  Church  and  of  our 
Leader  were  hung  on  the  walls.  Writing  tables  and 
stationery  were  provided,  as  well  as  a  piano  and  a 
French  stove.  Potted  plants  in  attractive  jardinieres, 
bright  table  covers,  old  rose  cretonne  draperies  and 
net  curtains,  all  gave  a  sense  of  home.  Moreover,  elec- 
tric lights  were  installed  which  shone  out  into  the 
darkened  street,  a  beacon  light  to  soldier  and  civilian. 

The  first  Christian  Science  service  in  Nevers  was 
held  in  the  office  of  the  Rooms  on  Sunday,  September 
29,  at  3  p.m.  It  was  attended  by  American  soldiers 
and  Signal  Corps  and  Y.  M.  C.  A.  girls.  The  office 
was  soon  outgrown  and  the  main  room  was  opened  for 
services  on  October  20  and  proved  none  too  large  to 
accommodate  the  steadily  increasing  attendance.  In 
response  to  a  request  from  some  of  the  personnel  at 
one  of  the  units  in  a  large  hospital  center,  the  Workers 
started  services  in  the  Red  Cross  hut  on  October  6. 
Because  of  the  duties  of  the  hospital  personnel  and  the 
constant  changing  of  patients,  the  services  had  a  dif- 
ferent audience  each  week.  Services  were  also  started 
at  another  hospital  on  October  20,  the  Captain  of  the 
Red  Cross  kindly  offering  the  use  of  his  office  for  the 
purpose  for  a  time. 

During  the  first  month  of  the  Workers'  stay  the 
attendance  steadily  increased.  Some  of  these  visitors 
were  transients,  others  became  regular  attendants. 
All  the  different  branches  of  the  service,  including  Red 
Cross  and  Y.  M.  C.  A.  workers,  were  represented.  The 
simple  and  sincere  gratitude  of  the  boys  for  the  bless- 
ings afforded  them  through  the  Reading  Room  found 
expression  in  the  visitors'  book,  in  which  the  follow- 
ing remarks  were  noted  from  among  many  more: 

194 


Living  Room,  Nantes,  France 


Interior,  War  Relief  Depot,  Nevers,  France 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Headquarters,  Bordeaux,  France 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

"Insufficient  room  in  this  to  contain  my  gratitude." 

"First  warm  place  I've  found  in  France." 

"A  mighty  cheerful  place." 

"Tres  bien  maison."  (A.  E.  F.  French !) 

"More  like  home  than  anything  I've  found  in  ten  months." 

In  one  of  their  reports  the  Workers  wrote : 

"We  have  proved  that  love  is  the  universal  language.  A 
touching  incident  of  this  occurred  in  the  Reading  Room 
recently.  A  young  French  boy  who  has  been  coming  in  to 
read  the  French-English  edition  of  the  textbook  and  who 
does  not  speak  a  word  of  English,  found  expression  for  his 
gratitude  in  actions  rather  than  words.  One  evening  we  found 
him  working  in  the  office  with  the  American  boys,  stamping 
Christian  Science  Monitors,  and  he  showed  by  his  beaming 
countenance  that  he  was  thoroughly  enjoying  the  work.  At 
another  time  when  the  necessity  arose  for  making  a  sign  in 
French  for  the  window,  he  eagerly  offered  to  make  one,  and 
it  is  now  in  its  place." 

The  Workers  received  many  letters  and  telegrams 
from  boys  in  distant  camps  and  hospitals,  desiring 
treatment  or  literature.  In  some  instances  they  re- 
sponded in  person,  traveling  sometimes  several  hun- 
dred miles  by  train  or  motor  in  order  to  give  the  heal- 
ing message  of  Truth,  or  to  render  some  human 
service  which  meant  so  much  to  the  giver  and  receiver. 
Early  in  January  the  Worker  visited  a  classification 
and  evacuation  camp  at  St.  Aignan  (a  day's  jour- 
ney by  motor)  to  render  assistance  to  a  boy  who  had 
been  waiting  six  weeks  for  his  Service  Record  Card  to 
arrive  from  the  Central  Records'  Office.  Upon  investi- 
gation, the  error  was  uncovered  and  corrected.  The 
boy  in  question  was  thus  enabled  to  leave  immediately 
for  an  embarkation  port.  It  also  released  over  2000 

195 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

others  who  had  been  delayed  for  the  same  reason, 
another  proof  that  "whatever  blesses  one  blesses  all." 
(Science  and  Health,  page  206.) 
In  another  report  our  Workers  write: 

"It  has  been  interesting  to  learn  how  divine  Love  has  led 
the  boys  to  find  the  Reading  Rooms  or  to  write  for  help.  One 
boy  who  had  been  in  a  near-by  hospital  for  several  weeks  told 
of  his  demonstration.  As  he  lay  on  his  cot,  he  took  up  the 
thought  of  the  Vine  and  its  branches,  using  the  15th  chapter 
of  John.  He  said  he  likened  the  Vine  to  The  Mother  Church. 
Being  a  member  of  this  church,  he  knew  he  was  also  one 
with  its  branches  and  all  its  branch  activities  and  could  not 
be  separated  from  them ;  and  he  knew  that  divine  Mind  would 
reveal  to  him  the  way  to  find  a  practitioner.  For  several  days 
nothing  unfolded,  but  he  continued  faithful  in  his  meta- 
physical work.  Then  one  day  his  nurse  brought  him  a  Paris 
edition  of  the  New  York  Herald,  wherein  he  found  the  list 
of  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Depots  in  France.  He 
immediately  wrote  to  the  Committee  at  Nevers  and  is  now 
with  the  Army  of  Occupation  in  Germany." 

Of  the  French,  our  Workers  wrote  as  follows: 

"During  the  past  month,  numbers  of  French  soldiers  have 
been  returning  to  their  homes  to  take  up  their  normal  activi- 
ties. Several  have  visited  our  Rooms,  telling  us  that  they 
had  learned  about  Christian  Science  from  their  comrades  at 
the  front.  French-English  editions  of  Science  and  Health 
were  sold  to  four  of  these  soldiers  and  they  were  also  supplied 
with  Le  Heraut  de  Christian  Science. 

"A  young  Frenchman  who  has  been  attending  our  services 
since  the  opening  of  the  rooms,  recently  purchased  through 
the  Committee  a  French  translation  of  the  Bible  and  the 
textbook.  He  studies  the  Lesson-Sermons  from  Le  Heraut. 

"A  vest-pocket  edition  of  the  textbook  was  sold  to  a 
Frenchwoman  who  had  been  a  regular  attendant  at  our  serv- 

196 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

ices.  She  has  recently  left  for  Algiers  to  take  up  her  vocation 
of  teaching. 

"A  French  officer  who  had  been  disabled  sent  a  relative  to 
the  Reading  Rooms  for  literature.  He  had  learned  of  Chris- 
tian Science  from  an  American  soldier  in  the  trenches. 

"Another  sale  of  the  French-English  Science  and  Health 
was  made  to  a  Frenchwoman  living  in  an  adjacent  town.  She 
had  read  Le  Heraut  and  pamphlets  which  she  procured  at 
our  Rooms.  She  wanted  to  investigate  the  subject  further, 
.together  with  her  sister  who  was  suffering  with  a  disease 
which  the  doctors  diagnosed  as  incurable.  In  response  to  an 
urgent  letter,  one  of  the  Workers  made  a  special  trip  to 
deliver  the  textbook  and  found  a  very  grateful  family  ready 
to  receive  it. 

"A  few  days  before  Christmas,"  says  our  Worker,  "a  cap- 
tain of  a  hospital  unit  which  had  just  arrived  at  Mars  called 
at  our  rooms  in  Nevers  to  inquire  if  we  could  provide  him  with 
any  knitted  goods  or  clothing  for  his  patients.  He  said  that 
his  experience  with  the  Christian  Science  organization  in  the 
States  led  him  to  assume  that  he  would  be  taken  care  of  with 
dispatch  by  our  overseas  representatives,  hence  his  call.  In 
less  than  twenty-four  hours  after  the  receipt  of  our  wire,  the 
Paris  Committee  secured  a  quantity  of  clothing  from  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology  Committee  in  Paris 
and  sent  us  a  trunkful,  which  was  distributed  to  the  hospital 
unit  the  day  before  Christmas." 

The  evacuation  of  the  camps  in  the  Nevers  district 
was  very  rapid  and  the  need  for  War  Relief  work 
diminished  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  deemed  advis- 
able to  close  the  Reading  Rooms  on  April  1,  1919.  To 
quote  again  from  our  Workers'  final  report : 

"The  benediction  used  at  our  last  service  very  appro- 
priately concludes  the  work  in  this  city.  'For  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit  is  in  all  goodness  and  righteousness  and  truth.' " 

197 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 
LE  MANS 

In  The  American  Embarkation  News  of  May  17, 
1919,  a  soldiers'  publication  printed  at  Le  Mans,  there 
appeared  the  following  article : 

"The  other  day  a  soldier  was  passing  the  large  gates  back 
of  which  stands  a  great  house  at  13  rue  Saint  Dominique. 
Pointing  to  the  building  he  remarked,  'Believe  me,  Joe,  that 
place  used  to  be  home  to  me.'  He  was  referring  to  the  house 
formerly  occupied  by  the  Christian  Science  Welfare  and  Re- 
lief organization  of  Le  Mans.  Their  headquarters  have  been 
moved  to  35  and  37  rue  la  Paille  at  the  intersection  of  rue 
de  la  Batterie  and  rue  Bourge  oVAugny,  where  reading  and 
rest  rooms  are  available  for  all  soldiers  who  wish  to  enjoy 
them. 

"But  it  was  at  rue  Saint  Dominique  that  soldiers  found  a 
little  paradise  of  a  place.  A  large,  roomy  building,  wonder- 
fully furnished  with  heavy,  soft  rugs  in  which  you  lost  your 
feet,  windows  shaded  with  pretty  curtains  and  walls  covered 
with  mirrors  and  art  studies  greeted  the  soldier.  It  was  just 
like  home.  .  .  . 

"A  large  fine-toned  grand  piano  was  at  the  disposal  of  the 
men.  Unique  little  tables  served  the  soldiers  with  places  to 
write  and  there  was  always  plenty  of  good  stationery.  The 
fact  is,  the  Christian  Science  Welfare  and  Relief  rooms  at 
13  rue  Saint  Dominique  were  one  of  those  places  where  a 
soldier  wanted  to  clean  his  shoes  on  the  outside  and  remove 
his  hat  as  he  entered  the  door. 

"One  of  the  delightful  things  about  this  place,  which  was 
so  popular  with  the  boys,  was  the  quiet  that  reigned  there. 
There  was  no  noise,  no  hubbub  and  one  could  spend  a  few 
hours  in  the  reading  room  absolutely  undisturbed.  .  .  . 
There  are  perhaps  few  men  in  and  about  Le  Mans  who  have 
not  spent  an  hour  or  two  in  the  place  and  who  will  not 
acknowledge,  like  the  fellow  quoted  in  the  first  paragraph, 
that  the  place  was  really  a  home. 

198 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

"The  welfare  and  relief  work  of  the  Christian  Science 
people  here  in  Le  Mans  has  been  done  without  display  or 
circus  advertising.  They  have  been  handicapped  in  that  they 
were  not  in  the  same  status  as  the  other  organizations.  Hav- 
ing done  their  work  quietly  and  served  their  purpose  well, 
without  ostentation,  many  of  the  men  who  have  been  stationed 
in  Le  Mans,  and  others  who  have  passed  through  here,  will 
long  remember  the  unique  place  which  the  organization  played 
in  the  welfare  of  the  soldier  of  the  United  States  in  France. 

Thus  in  their  frank  way  do  the  boys  sum  up  the 
work  of  the  War  Relief  Depot  established  in  Le 
Mans. 

The  original  house  referred  to  in  this  article  was 
situated  at  13  rue  Saint  Dominique  in  the  center  of 
the  business  section  of  the  city  and  on  a  main  traveled 
street.  It  contained  nine  rooms,  including  a  large 
salon  used  to  receive  visitors  and  for  Sunday  services. 
Adjoining  this  was  the  Reading  Room,  opening  into 
two  smaller  rooms,  an  office  and  a  mailing  room  re- 
spectively. There  were  also  living  quarters  for  the 
Workers  and  two  additional  bedrooms.  These  last- 
mentioned  chambers  served  an  unusual  purpose.  Our 
Workers  found  that  many  army  officers,  particularly 
chaplains  (whose  headquarters  were  in  Le  Mans 
while  awaiting  assignment)  were  unable  to  obtain 
sleeping  accommodations  and  were  often  forced  to 
spend  the  night  on  the  streets.  Our  rooms,  which  could 
accommodate  five  men,  were  placed  at  the  disposal  of 
such  officers,  and  during  one  month  some  thirty-four 
chaplains  were  sheltered  in  the  War  Relief  house. 
This  was  with  mutual  benefit  to  both  host  and  guests, 
and  several  men  became  sufficiently  interested  in 
Christian  Science  to  request  a  copy  of  the  textbook 
before  departing  for  their  post  of  duty. 

199 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Le  Mans  was  a  most  important  city  from  the  stand- 
point of  the  A.  E.  F.  Situated  between  Paris  and  the 
coast,  on  the  main  railroad  line,  it  became  the  second 
depot  area  of  the  Service  of  Supply.  From  a  normal 
population  of  70,000  the  war  refugees  swelled  this 
number  to  125,000,  without  reference  to  the  American 
troops  in  billets  and  barracks  near  the  city.  The  area 
included  in  the  Le  Mans  district  was  500  square  miles, 
in  which  were  stationed  an  average  of  40,000  men.  As 
our  Workers  wrote  in  one  of  their  reports: 

"Everyone  had  a  tremendous  amount  of  work  to  do  and 
all  were  driving  themselves  desperately  to  get  it  done.  Train- 
ing squads  were  daily  receiving  new  troops  from  the  States 
and  training  them  until  they  literally  dropped  in  their  tracks. 
Soldiers  were  continually  on  the  move,  thousands  stopping  for 
a  few  hours  in  trains  upon  sidings  or  in  camps  a  few  miles 
from  town.  In  the  town  was  a  Casual  Barracks,  known  in  the 
army  as  the  'mad  house.'  Here  casuals  were  assembled, — men 
who  had  been  sick  or  wounded  in  action,  or  detached  from 
their  companies  for  one  reason  or  another.  They  were 
assorted,  refitted  and  sent  to  the  front.  The  average  stay  was 
two  days  and  it  seemed  almost  impossible  for  them  to  procure 
a  pass.  Everything  was  jammed  full,  and  the  overflow  spilled 
out  into  the  muddy  fields,  and  made  its  bed  on  the  oozy 
ground.  Officers  passing  through  the  town  were  very  little 
better  off  than  the  men.  Hundreds  walked  the  streets,  or 
slept  in  stations  or  hallways,  unable  to  find  shelter.  Trans- 
portation and  food  were  lacking,  all  else  being  subordinated 
to  the  one  purpose  of  getting  everything  available  up  to  the 
front. 

"Our  question  as  to  why  Christian  Science  should  be  held 
aloft  in  Le  Mans  was  very  soon  answered.  The  opportunities 
for  healing  work  increased  day  by  day.  New  points  of  con- 
tact with  the  men  constantly  presented  themselves.  To  raise 
the  standard  of  the  men  along  whatever  line  their  thought 

200 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

was  tending  and  lay  a  foundation  of  spiritual  truth  through 
whatever  channel  was  opened  to  us,  was  the  relief  needed  at 
the  moment.  After  looking  over  the  field  and  securing  our 
rooms,  we  noted  the  immediate  work  before  us  and  made  plans 
for  its  proper  execution.  These  plans  were  submitted  to  the 
commanding  welfare  officer  in  the  area  and  received  his  ap- 
proval. Thereafter,  no  step  was  taken,  nor  any  change  made, 
without  first  submitting  it  to  either  the  commanding  General 
or  the  welfare  officer. 

"From  that  time  to  the  present  everything  has  prospered. 
The  congregation  filled  the  rooms  to  overflowing,  and  the 
members  proved,  in  some  measure,  the  power  of  Principle  in 
their  own  affairs.  Our  boys  secured  passes  when  to  human 
reason  it  seemed  impossible,  transportation  was  procured 
when  needed,  and  an  official  order  went  out  providing  for  the 
admission  and  care  of  The  Christian  Science  Monitor 
throughout  the  area.  The  Senior  Chaplain  of  the  American 
Embarkation  Center  sent  out  a  general  letter  to  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
workers  and  Zone  Majors  in  this  area  calling  their  attention 
to  The  Christian  Science  Monitor  and  said:  'It  is  the  wish 
of  the  Commanding  General  that  the  Christian  Science 
daily  newspaper — the  Monitor — enjoy  a  worthier  circulation 
among  the  men  of  the  American  army,  than  at  present 
obtained.  Besides  furnishing  them  daily  with  excellent  reading 
material  it  has  had  a  good  moral  effect  among  the  men.'  " 

"Musicians  and  booklovers  have  sent  in  for  the  Monitor 
from  a  considerable  distance  because  of  special  interest  in 
the  music  and  literary  pages.  A  chess  player  came  in  to  pick 
up  back  dates  for  chess  problems  and  many  other  men  have 
come  up  to  make  a  study  of  the  editorials,  declaring  that  the 
Monitor  had  given  them  their  first  grasp  on  the  world  issues, 
in  a  big  way." 

The  attendance  at  the  Le  Mans  services  grew  rap- 
idly and  was  very  cosmopolitan  in  character.  At  one 
Wednesday  evening  meeting  the  congregation  in- 

201 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

eluded,  besides  our  American  boys,  French,  Belgian, 
Hungarian  and  Russian  attendants. 
Of  civilian  inquirers  our  Workers  said: 

"We  have  had  some  very  interesting  experiences  with 
French,  Belgian  and  Russian  investigators  of  Christian 
Science.  During  the  first  four  months  nearly  two  hundred 
inquirers  presented  themselves.  Some  of  these  proved  to  be 
earnest  students  and  had  interesting  demonstrations,  many 
times  entirely  through  the  study  of  Science  and  Health.  These 
have  endured,  and  in  one  instance  at  least,  the  student  is 
proving  his  faith  by  healing  others." 

As  elsewhere,  our  Workers  had  many  requests  for 
treatment.  A  man  born  in  Russian  Tartary  and 
raised  a  Mohammedan,  spent  many  hours  each  day 
studying  Science  and  Health  in  the  Reading  Room. 
He  reported  that  a  skin  disease  of  long  standing  had 
been  healed  completely  since  the  truth  contained  in 
Science  and  Health  had  been  revealed  to  him  and  he 
had  applied  its  teachings.  A  young  Frenchman  re- 
ported that  he  had  been  healed  of  melancholia,  which 
had  beset  his  path  all  his  life,  and  that  he  was  most 
happy  in  this  understanding  of  the  phantasmal  nature 
of  evil. 

One  very  interesting  case  of  healing  was  that  of  a 
young  captain,  who  after  a  night  of  great  pain,  found 
himself  unable  to  move  when  it  came  time  to  report 
to  his  colonel  for  some  special  duty.  A  doctor  was 
called,  who  after  examination  stated  that  the  cap- 
tain's appendix  had  burst  and  it  was  impossible  to  do 
anything  for  him.  A  friend  had  already  been  sent  to 
request  Christian  Science  treatment  for  the  captain 
and  shortly  after  the  doctor's  visit  the  War  Relief 
Worker  arrived.  The  pain  left  almost  at  once  and  the 

202 


,  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE 


Christian   Science   Headquarters,   Romorantin,   France 


In  the  courtyard  at  Romorantin 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

man  went  to  sleep.  In  less  than  three  hours  he  awak- 
ened perfectly  well,  arose  and  dressed  himself. 

Mention  has  been  made  elsewhere  of  the  excellent 
work  done  among  the  war  refugees  in  Le  Mans  and 
our  room  was  constantly  visited  by  grateful  recipients 
of  help  from  the  War  Relief  Fund  of  The  Mother 
Church,  who  called  to  thank  our  Committee  for  the 
assistance  given  them. 

Throughout  the  demobilization  period  the  Le  Mans 
Depot  was  continuously  active  and,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  one  at  Brest  and  the  Paris  office,  was  the 
last  of  the  French  War  Relief  Rooms  to  close  its 
doors. 

ROMORANTIN 

In  October,  1918,  one  of  our  Workers  in  France, 
who  had  until  that  time  been  active  in  the  Depot  at 
St.  Nazaire,  was  sent  to  establish  the  work  in  the  town 
of  Romorantin.  This  was  a  central  point  serving  a 
large  military  district,  including  among  other  places 
Blois,  Bourges,  Issoudun,  Cour  Cheverny  and  St. 
Aignan.  Our  Worker  found  a  cordial  welcome  from 
the  American  and  French  authorities  and  secured  a 
fine  house  for  the  Reading  Rooms  at  2  rue  de  VEcu. 
It  was  on  the  main  square  of  the  town,  to  which  on 
Sundays  and  holidays  band  concerts  attracted  thou- 
sands, who  could  not  fail  to  see  our  headquarters. 

Christian  Science  services  were  held  regularly  in 
Romorantin  with  steadily  increasing  attendance,  until 
Christmas  night  which  was  the  concluding  service. 

Much  of  the  literature  distribution  from  this  Depot 
had  to  be  done  by  mail  on  account  of  the  large  terri- 
tory served.  The  Soldiers'  Distribution  Committee 

203 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

supplied  large  quantities  of  Monitors  to  the  camps 
and  all  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  huts  were  well  taken  care  of 
and  were  glad  to  have  our  literature.  The  hospitals  in 
the  area  likewise  were  most  appreciative  of  reading 
matter. 

Our  Worker  received  calls  for  help  from  boys  in 
all  the  outlying  camps.  One  aviator  flew  from  Issou- 
dun  for  treatment  and  then  flew  back  in  his  machine. 
Another  soldier  walked  twenty  miles  each  way  to 
attend  a  Sunday  service. 

In  work  for  the  refugees  our  representative  was 
also  active  and  was  appointed  to  serve  on  a  Commit- 
tee, consisting  of  the  Mayor  of  Romorantin  and  sev- 
eral business  men,  to  investigate  and  recommend 
action  on  refugee  cases. 

Almost  immediately  after  the  signing  of  the  armis- 
tice, demobilization  began  and  by  January  1  it  was 
deemed  advisable  to  close  our  work  at  this  Depot. 
Although  active  only  three  months,  the  Depot  filled 
a  need.  As  our  Worker  says  in  his  final  report : 

"Many  soldiers  found  rest,  help  and  comfort  during  a 
period  when  they  were  working  under  the  greatest  strain  and 
the  Committee  can  be  satisfied  that  it  has  made  a  valuable 
contribution  to  the  A.  E.  F.  in  its  time  of  urgent  need." 

PARIS 

Work  at  the  Paris  headquarters  at  3  Avenue  de 
VOpera,  differed  somewhat  from  that  of  the  various 
rooms  in  other  parts  of  France.  The  offices  were  se- 
lected, furnished  and  opened  under  the  direction  of 
the  manager  of  the  War  Relief  Committee  who  was 
then  in  France.  With  him  was  an  experienced 
Camp  Welfare  Worker  who  had  spent  several  months 

204 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

at  Camp  Dix,  New  Jersey,  and  the  local  Christian 
Scientists  of  Paris  added  their  hearty  cooperation. 
The  suite  of  offices  in  Paris  housed  several  Christian 
Science  activities:  the  joint  Reading  Room  of  the 
Paris  churches,  headquarters  of  the  committee  admin- 
istering The  Mother  Church  Relief  Fund  for  France, 
and  in  addition,  the  commodious  quarters  maintained 
by  the  War  Relief  Committee.  These  accommodated 
its  clerical  force  and  provided  a  place  in  which  the 
literature  could  be  received  and  sent  forth  for  distri- 
bution over  Europe.  Here  also  were  located  reading 
and  lounging  rooms  for  men  in  the  service. 

The  volume  of  correspondence  which  began  to  pour 
into  the  Paris  office  was  tremendous.  Parents  wrote 
for  news  of  their  sons.  The  boys  wrote  requesting 
literature.  The  French  Depots  wrote  on  matters  of 
administration  and  the  Boston  office  wrote,  forward- 
ing all  the  requests  sent  by  the  various  State  Com- 
mittees of  the  United  States. 

The  branch  of  work  known  as  the  "casualty  lists" 
grew  to  enormous  proportions.  These  were  the  names 
of  boys  who  had  been  wounded  or  were  in  hospitals 
or  who  had  not  been  heard  from,  and  were  forwarded 
from  Boston  to  Paris,  either  by  cable  or  letter,  for 
investigation.  The  patient,  loving  effort  of  the  Paris 
Workers  to  secure  the  information  which  would  bring 
comfort  and  relief  to  the  anxious  ones  at  home,  effort 
which  sometimes  involved  a  long  railroad  journey  and 
hours  of  search  through  endless  records,  ending,  per- 
haps, in  the  report  that  the  boy  in  question  had  been 
transferred  and  the  search  must  begin  all  over  again, 
represented  persistent  endeavor  worthy  of  the  highest 
commendation. 

205 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

After  the  arrival  and  location  of  the  second  group 
of  ten  workers  in  September,  1918,  the  manager  of 
the  Committee  returned  to  America,  and  the  Paris 
office  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  two  Workers  who 
had  established  the  Depot  at  Tours.  Two  women 
practitioners  were  also  added  to  the  personnel  of  the 
office.  This  was  necessitated  by  the  constantly  grow- 
ing demand  for  Christian  Science  treatment  from  the 
men  of  the  A.  E.  F.  A  most  important  work  which 
had  been  instituted  in  the  early  summer,  in  the  hospi- 
tals in  and  about  Paris,  was  now  enlarged.  Our  women 
Workers  visited  them  regularly,  carrying  a  large  sup- 
ply of  Monitors  and  other  literature. 

A  Worker  says : 

"A  few  moments  after  distribution,  to  look  back  over  a 
long  corridor  of  cots  and  see  almost  every  soldier  reading  the 
Monitor  is  a  sight  never  to  be  forgotten." 

Much  impersonal  healing  work  was  accomplished 
in  the  hospitals  as  the  following  incident  related  by 
one  of  the  Workers  will  indicate : 

"In  one  of  the  buildings  visited,  a  boy  who  had  been  shot 
through  the  lungs,  repeated  the  Lord's  Prayer  all  day  and 
thus  overcame  'the  last  enemy.'  The  supervising  nurse  had 
asked  the  Monitor  visitor  to  talk  with  the  lad.  'He  will 
probably  live  but  a  few  hours,'  said  she,  'and  he's  from  your 
town.'  This  boy,  who  knew  nothing  of  Christian  Science  (and 
of  course  the  subject  was  not  mentioned  to  him),  had  lost 
his  Bible  at  Chateau  Thierry.  'I  knew  when  I  did,'  he  gasped, 
'that  it  was  all  up  with  me,  because  I  had  carried  that  Bible 
with  me  everywhere.'  'But  you  did  not  lose  the  Lord's 
Prayer,'  he  was  reminded,  'and  you  could  really  use  that 
prayer  all  day,  actually  use  it  for  breathing.  Just  substitute 
it  for  breathing  if  you're  a  little  short  of  breath.  Will  you 
promise  to  say  it  all  day?'  And  he  promised. 

206 


War  Relief  Room  at  38  rue  d'Entraigues,  Tours,  France 


In  the  House  at  Nantes,  France 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

"Two  weeks  later  the  Irish  nurse  who  had  him  as  her 
particular  charge,  almost  shouted:  'Why,  John,  there's  that 
lady  who  talked  to  you  the  day  you  were  so  bad,  and  haven't 
I  often  been  thinking  of  it  since.  That  was  the  day  you  got 
well,  John.'  Later,  the  boy  was  presented  by  the  Committee 
with  a  Bible.  He  held  the  book  a  moment  to  his  face,  tenderly 
caressing  it,  and  quickly  slipped  it  under  his  pillow.  'There 
is  nothing,'  said  one  nurse,  'which  the  boys  so  thoroughly 
love  as  a  Bible.'  " 

During  the  influenza  epidemic  and  the  last  bitter 
weeks  of  the  war,  when  the  American  troops  were 
winning  their  laurels  in  the  Argonne  and  at  St.  Mihiel, 
all  our  Paris  Workers  were  busy  day  and  night  re- 
sponding to  calls  for  help.  Their  work  also  necessi- 
tated a  great  deal  of  correspondence — letters  to  the 
boys  themselves,  and  to  their  friends.  The  joy  of  these 
faithful  Workers  can  well  be  imagined  when  pos- 
sibly some  time  after  treatment  had  been  begun  a 
stalwart  American  lad  would  walk  into  the  War 
Relief  Rooms  announcing  that  he  was  Sergeant  C.  or 
Lieutenant  L.  or  Private  X.  and  say,  "You've  been 
helping  me,  you  know,  and  I'm  feeling  fine."  Some- 
times the  boys  never  got  to  the  Rooms  but  would  send 
grateful  letters  acknowledging  the  help  received. 

After  the  signing  of  the  armistice  the  nature  of  the 
cases  changed  somewhat.  The  enforced  idleness  into 
which  the  men  were  plunged  after  the  continuous 
activity  of  previous  months  seemed  a  fertile  soil  for 
the  seeds  of  temptation  and  vice,  and  many  earnest 
boys  who  appealed  to  our  Workers  were  helped  to 
rise  above  the  conditions  which  threatened  to  engulf 
them  and  were  shown  how  to  be  contented  and  happy 
until  the  longed-for  embarkation  order  arrived. 

207 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

The  Workers  in  the  Paris  Rooms  had  the  joy,  too, 
of  hearing  the  experiences  of  men  just  back  from  the 
front,  and  many  were  the  grateful  expressions  of 
gratitude  for  the  protection  afforded  through  an 
understanding  of  Christian  Science.  One  day  a  lieu- 
tenant came  in  asking  for  information  about  Christian 
Science.  He  explained  that  he  had  become  interested 
while  censoring  the  mail  of  soldiers  who  were  Scien- 
tists, and  said: 

"They  were  all  such  cheerful  letters.  One  boy  was  an  espe- 
cially cheerful  creature  in  the  letters  he  wrote.  I  used  to  read 
his  letters  sometimes  two  or  three  times.  The  doctors  had 
given  him  no  hope  because  of  his  wound  and  yet  he  refused 
to  believe  a  thing  they  said.  I  thought  I  should  like  to  know 
what  sort  of  a  religion  he  could  possibly  have  which  would 
make  him  disbelieve  a  doctor's  verdict.  The  boy  is  getting 
well  and  I  want  to  know  about  Christian  Science." 

There  were  a  number  of  interesting  appeals  for 
literature  from  French  soldiers.  One,  upon  becoming 
an  earnest  student  of  the  textbook,  voluntarily  and 
without  effort  gave  up  the  use  of  wine  and  tobacco, 
in  obedience  to  what  he  read  in  Science  and  Health. 
He  also  inquired  about  the  church  service,  and  there- 
after conducted  his  own  service,  in  strict  conformity 
to  the  Manual,  in  a  French  army  automobile. 

The  Paris  office  was  the  distributing  center  for  all 
the  Christian  Science  literature  which  went  to  the 
Allied  Armies  in  France,  with  the  exception  of  the 
British  army  which  was  supplied  by  the  London 
office.  Great  quantities  were  sent  direct  from  Boston 
to  the  various  Depots  throughout  France  but  a  large 
surplus  stock  was  always  kept  on  hand  in  Paris  to 
forward  to  small  groups  of  Scientists  who  were  hold- 

208 


WITH  THE  A.  E.  F.  IN  FRANCE 

ing  services  and  distributing  literature.  The  office  also 
endeavored  to  get  in  touch  with  every  soldier  whose 
name  was  forwarded  to  them.  These  were  names  sent 
to  the  Boston  office  in  response  to  the  notice  appear- 
ing in  the  Christian  Science  Sentinel,  asking  for 
names  and  addresses  of  those  men  in  the  Allied 
Armies  who  were  interested  in  Christian  Science.  It 
was  the  experience  of  the  Committee  that  in  many 
instances  names  were  sent  in  by  friends  who  wished 
that  the  man  in  uniform  might  become  interested,  or 
who  thought  he  might  be,  but  in  every  case  the  name 
was  forwarded  to  the  nearest  Worker.  Some  12,000 
were  thus  sent  to  the  Paris  office  from  time  to  time 
and  to  each  soldier  a  printed  form  was  thereupon 
mailed  from  Paris  indicating  the  location  of  the 
Rooms  and  announcing  that  he  was  welcome  to  call 
upon  them  for  Christian  Science  literature  or  help  at 
any  time.  In  cases  where  books  or  literature  had  been 
requested  by  the  person  who  sent  in  the  name,  the  sol- 
dier was  asked  to  reply  verifying  his  address.  This 
latter  precaution  was  found  to  be  absolutely  essential 
in  view  of  the  constant  movements  of  the  troops  and 
the  shifting  of  the  personnel. 

One  of  these  letters  was  sent  to  a  soldier  who  had 
been  told  by  the  doctors  it  would  be  more  than  two 
years  before  he  could  hope  to  be  better.  "I  am  going," 
he  announced  to  his  hospital  associates,  "to  that 
Reading  Room  and  get  what  they  have  for  me."  This 
soldier  received  his  healing  at  once  and  within  a  few 
days  was  discharged  from  the  hospital  and  sent  out 
on  active  duty.  He  later  wrote : 

"I  could  write  all  night  and  tell  you  the  joys  I  have 
received  since  October  13,  but  I  know  that  you  know  how 

209 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

I  feel.  I  hope  that  others  who  are  in  the  position  that  I  was 
will  turn  to  Christian  Science  and  derive  the  benefits  that 
I  have, — truth  and  happiness.  It  is  all  so  wonderful  that 
I  can  hardly  realize  that  I  have  been  cured  and  I  often  stop 
and  think,  'Have  I  been  healed?'  And  then  I  remember  that 
man  is  the  spiritual  image  and  likeness  of  God,  and  recog- 
nizing this,  my  true  selfhood,  I  could  not  be  sick." 

The  signing  of  the  armistice  brought  no  diminution 
of  visitors  to  the  Paris  Rooms  but  rather  an  increase, 
at  least  during  the  first  months  of  demobilization,  for 
many  lads  were  then  able  to  secure  the  much-desired 
permission  to  visit  the  famous  capital  city  of  France. 
To  these  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Rooms 
meant  much.  In  the  words  of  one  of  the  visitors : 

"It  was  like  a  taste  of  home,  your  lovely  reading  and 
writing  room  on  the  Avenue  de  l'Opera  and  the  sincere 
Wednesday  evening  meeting  in  First  Church.  Moreover,  on 
the  way  back,  I  had  a  most  helpful  conversation  with  a  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  lady  who  had  testified.  Many  thanks  again  to  your 
Committee  and  to  the  whole  glorious  discovery  of  Mrs. 
Eddy." 

As  the  work  gradually  diminished,  three  of  the  prac- 
titioners stationed  here  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
war,  returned  to  the  United  States,  leaving  the  man- 
ager and  his  wife  to  care  for  the  Rooms.  With  the  sign- 
ing of  peace  terms  in  June  and  the  rapid  departure 
of  American  troops,  the  work  throughout  France  de- 
creased so  quickly  that  the  activities  at  the  Paris 
headquarters  became  less  exacting  as  week  succeeded 
week,  and  the  office  was  closed  on  July  31,  1919,  and 
the  fine  suite  at  3  Avenue  de  V Opera  which  had  served 
so  admirably  for  more  than  a  year  was  sub-let  on  ad- 
vantageous terms  and  the  work  in  France  concluded. 

210 


Paris  Headquarters,  3  Avenue  de  l'Opera,  Paris,  France 


In  the  Reading  Room,  Paris,  France 


A  Corner  of  the  Paris  Office 


VI 

ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE 
CALL 

The  war  drew  from  civil  life  into  the  British  army 
and  navy  countless  men  who  had  to  face  undreamt- 
of hardships  and  dangers  for  which  they  were  quite 
unprepared.  From  north,  south,  east  and  west  there 
came  to  British  shores  men  ready  to  sacrifice  their  all 
for  the  freedom  of  the  world.  In  a  very  short  time 
Great  Britain  was  turned  into  a  vast  training  camp 
filled  with  men  removed  from  all  home  influences  and 
often  dreading  the  experiences  in  front  of  them,  and 
there  seemed  very  little  to  alleviate  the  situation  and 
give  any  real  comfort  and  support. 

Between  the  last  months  of  1914,  when  it  was 
recognized  that  the  war  would  not  be  of  short  dura- 
tion, and  the  summer  of  1915,  many  Christian  Scien- 
tists had  asked  themselves  if  something  special  could 
not  be  done  to  make  Christian  Science  available  to 
the  numbers  of  newly  made  soldiers  whose  needs 
seemed  to  be  so  desperate.  At  the  semi-annual  meet- 
ing of  First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist,  a  resolution 
was  passed  which  eventually  resulted  in  the  formation 
of  a  committee  of  delegates  from  the  churches  in  the 
London  district. 

The  work  in  other  parts  of  the  country  was  under- 
taken in  the  early  years  of  the  war  by  single  churches 
or  groups  of  churches  forming  committees  to  super- 

211 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

vise  the  work  in  their  own  localities,  and  every  step 
was  a  demonstration  of  the  value  of  faith,  as  there  was 
no  precedent  by  which  to  steer  the  course,  nor  any 
experience  by  which  to  justify  it. 

The  first  idea  was  to  gain  permission  to  establish 
Christian  Science  Reading  Rooms  with  the  B.  E.  F.  in 
France,  but  after  interminable  correspondence  with 
War  Office  officials,  this  course  was  abandoned,  and 
the  London  Committee  turned  its  efforts  to  the  mili- 
tary centers  in  the  south  of  England,  where  prox- 
imity to  a  town  would  permit  of  premises  being  taken 
without  military  sanction. 


COLCHESTER 

After  some  deliberation  Colchester  was  chosen  as 
being  suitable  for  the  purpose.  It  was  at  that  time  not 
only  a  permanent  garrison  town,  but  some  twenty  or 
thirty  thousand  troops  were  constantly  being  drafted 
in  and  out,  and  it  maintained  besides  a  large  convales- 
cent military  hospital.  The  town  of  40,000  inhabitants 
is  about  fifty-five  miles  from  London  and  while  there 
is  no  organized  Christian  Science  work  there,  the  little 
community  of  Christian  Scientists  proved  itself  a 
most  valuable  coadjutor  in  the  work. 

At  first  the  Committee  only  ventured  on  two  small 
rooms  in  a  little  house  opposite  the  Public  Library, 
taking  them  on  a  three  months'  trial.  These  rooms 
were  made  comfortable  and  attractive,  and  were 
opened  just  before  Christmas,  1915,  the  hours  being 
from  twelve  to  nine  daily,  and  on  Sundays  from  three 
to  nine.  All  Mrs.  Eddy's  works,  and  the  books 
marked  for  the  lesson-sermon,  were  laid  out  and  tables 

212 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

were  provided  with  everything  required  for  writing. 
The  writing  facilities  were  the  great  attraction  in  the 
early  days  to  many  men  who  enjoyed  the  peace  and 
quiet,  instead  of  the  racket  of  the  usual  places  pro- 
vided for  them.  As  time  went  on,  they  began  to  take 
an  interest  in  the  Monitor,  the  periodicals,  and  finally 
in  the  textbook,  in  a  way  in  which  perhaps  they  might 
never  have  done  except  for  the  opportunity  thus  given 
to  them. 

The  result  of  this  first  venture  so  far  exceeded 
anticipation  that  the  Committee  were  encouraged  to 
make  a  second  attempt,  and  on  July  26,  1916,  similar 
rooms  at  Bedford  were  opened,  to  be  followed  at 
varying  intervals  by  others  at  Aldershot,  Dover  and 
Chatham. 

BEDFORD 

Bedford,  which  is  a  residential  and  educational 
town,  and  which  had,  until  that  time,  been  considered 
famous  for  its  orderliness,  suddenly  found  itself  con- 
verted into  a  military  center.  All  available  houses 
were  taken  as  billets  for  soldiers,  and  several  large 
camps  outside  the  town  had  come  into  existence.  In 
the  early  summer  of  1917,  the  division  which  had  been 
in  Bedford  since  the  opening  of  the  Room  was  moved 
away,  and  the  town  became  a  large  training  center 
for  the  Royal  Engineers  and  also  for  the  Flying 
Corps.  In  addition  to  these,  another  division  was 
moved  in,  and  there  was  great  activity. 

With  the  opening  of  the  Room  the  men  streamed  in 
in  batches  of  five  or  six,  many  of  them  recruits  still 
in  civilian  clothes.  The  news  went  quickly  round  the 
billets  that  the  Christian  Scientists  had  opened  a  room 

213 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

where  soldiers  could  read  and  write  their  home  letters 
in  peace,  and  many  men  found  their  way  there 
within  a  few  hours  of  arriving  in  Bedford.  Three  boys, 
for  instance,  came  in  one  day  shortly  after  their  ar- 
rival and  could  hardy  credit  that  such  comfort  and 
accommodations  were  intended  for  private  soldiers. 
Next  evening  they  returned  bringing  seven  friends 
with  them,  and  these  ten  came  regularly  thereafter, 
except  when  detained  by  military  duties.  An  interest- 
ing man  who  had  been  for  some  years  Honorary  Sec- 
retary of  a  London  branch  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  which 
deals  with  boys  under  sixteen  years  of  age,  also 
became  a  regular  visitor.  He  was  hugely  appreciative 
of  the  Room,  its  peace,  quiet  and  comfort,  the  more  so 
as  he  carried  on  a  large  correspondence  with  his  old 
boys,  many  of  whom  were  in  the  army  like  himself, 
and  wrote  to  him  for  counsel  and  encouragement. 
He  said  one  night  to  the  Worker: 

"We  owe  an  immense  debt  of  gratitude  to  your  Committee, 
and  to  whoever  first  thought  of  providing  such  a  restful  place 
for  soldiers." 

ALDERSHOT 

As  the  rooms  already  established  in  these  places 
were  attracting  large  numbers,  the  Committee  felt  it 
was  very  important  that  a  similar  room  should  be 
opened  at  Aldershot,  the  largest  permanent  military 
center  in  England.  On  making  inquiries,  a  suitable 
hall  was  found  to  be  available,  and  negotiations  were 
at  once  entered  into,  with  the  result  that  these  prem- 
ises were  arranged  as  reading  and  writing  rooms,  and 
opened  in  April,  1917.  With  the  exception  of  one 
camp,  which  is  practically  in  Aldershot,  the  barracks 

214 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

and  camps  were  scattered  around  the  town,  and  the 
restrictions  with  regard  to  the  men  being  on  leave  in 
the  town  were  very  great.  This  may  account  in  some 
degree  for  the  fact  that  the  largest  number  of  men 
using  the  Room  in  a  month  was  1688,  not  so  high  a 
monthly  figure  as  in  other  places.  But  excellent  work 
was  done  and  good  cases  of  healing  were  reported 
from  these  Rooms. 

A  man  who  had  used  the  Room  while  stationed  at 
Aldershot,  sent  a  card  from  France  saying  that  he 
was  grievously  wounded  and  asked  for  help.  The 
doctors  said  he  could  not  be  moved,  and  that  a  severe 
operation  would  have  to  be  performed.  Treatment 
was  given,  and  after  a  few  days,  he  was  able  to  be 
moved  to  a  hospital  in  England,  and  in  less  than  a 
month  he  was  dismissed  without  an  operation,  and 
wrote,  saying: 

"I  cannot  tell  you  how  wonderful  it  has  all  been  to  me, 
and  I  should  like  the  doctors  who  attended  me  in  France  to 
see  me  now." 

Much  of  this  sort  of  work  was  done  for  the  men 
from  the  time  the  Rooms  were  first  opened,  and  large 
numbers  were  kept  in  touch  with,  letters  and  papers 
being  sent  to  them  at  frequent  intervals.  They  wrote 
with  great  gratitude  and  appreciation  of  the  friendly 
interest  shown  in  their  welfare. 

DOVER 

In  the  summer  of  1917  the  work  began  at  Dover, 
which,  owing  to  its  exposed  position  on  the  southeast 
coast  of  England,  was  subject  to  constant  air  raids 
and  to  bombardments  from  the  sea.   The  military 

215 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

authorities  took  entire  possession  of  the  town  and  the 
civil  population  in  great  part  moved  away  in  order 
that  the  houses  might  be  available  for  sailors  or  sol- 
diers. Dover  soon  became  a  veritable  fortress,  into 
which  no  one  could  enter  without  a  passport.  The 
Workers  in  the  Rooms  there  found  themselves,  to  all 
intents  and  purposes,  in  a  war  zone,  and  constantly 
had  the  opportunity  of  helping  men  who  were  actu- 
ally engaged  in  some  of  the  most  important  and  dan- 
gerous operations  carried  out  during  the  war. 

Among  the  soldiers  stationed  at  Dover  from  time 
to  time,  some  were  already  interested  in  Christian 
Science  and  these  became  regular  frequenters  of  the 
Rooms  during  their  stay.  But  at  the  same  time,  out 
of  the  31,582  visits  paid  to  the  Dover  War  Relief 
Rooms  between  August,  1917,  and  the  end  of  Novem- 
ber, 1918,  it  is  probable  that  many  men  paid  only  one 
visit,  as  the  troops  were  constantly  changing,  and  it  is 
known  that  over  four  million  men  passed  through  the 
town. 

CHATHAM 

The  work  next  opened  up  at  Chatham,  which  is  a 
large  naval  base  on  the  south  coast,  with  barracks  for 
the  naval  forces  and  also  for  the  Royal  Engineers. 
Many  soldiers  were  also  quartered  there  during  the 
war,  and  the  streets  of  the  town  were  so  crowded  that 
it  seemed  a  very  suitable  place  in  which  to  start  the 
work.  A  large  hall  was  offered  to  the  Committee  and 
proved  to  be  very  satisfactory. 

Many  soldiers  who  had  made  use  of  the  Dover 
Rooms  were  transferred  to  Chatham  and  in  this  way 

216 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

the  work  begun  at  one  Reading  Room  was  carried  on 
in  another.  The  Rooms  at  Chatham  were  opened  in 
March,  1918,  and  the  highest  monthly  attendance  was 
2636,  reached  in  January,  1919,  since  which  time  de- 
mobilization caused  a  reduction. 
An  extract  from  a  report  states: 

"Sailors  have  come  into  the  Rooms  through  having  seen 
the  literature  on  their  ships,  one  from  having  been  intro- 
duced to  it  through  Scientists  at  Durban,  South  Africa. 
Soldiers  have  seen  it  in  camps  or  have  been  attracted  by  the 
notice  boards.  One  man  came  across  it  in  the  trenches,  where 
a  companion  received  the  Monitor  regularly  and  passed  it 
round  for  all  to  read." 

There  were  good  cases  of  healing  recorded  in  Chat- 
ham, but  it  is  noticeable  that  many  men  quickly  learnt 
to  do  their  own  work,  when  once  they  started  reading 
the  books. 

Among  many  interesting  points  which  came  up  in 
the  course  of  the  unfoldment  of  the  work,  was  the 
increasingly  rapid  recognition  of  each  Room  as  these 
were  opened  in  different  centers.  At  Colchester  twelve 
days  elapsed  before  any  soldier  ventured  to  step 
across  the  threshold,  but  at  each  subsequent  opening 
the  time  was  less  and  less  until  at  Dover,  a  man  came 
in  to  use  the  Room  before  the  lettering  was  finished 
on  the  window. 

Rooms  of  a  similar  nature  were  opened  by  the 
Yorkshire  churches  at  Ripon,  in  February,  1916,  at 
Newcastle  early  in  1917  by  First  Church  of  Christ, 
Scientist,  in  that  town,  at  Dublin  in  September,  1917, 
and  Bexhill  and  Edinburgh  in  1918. 


217 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 


RIPON 

The  needs  of  the  soldier  in  Yorkshire  were  first 
recognized  by  two  of  the  churches  in  that  county, 
and  in  January,  1916,  a  small  room  in  a  central  posi- 
tion, well  lighted  and  warmed  and  provided  with 
writing  tables,  was  opened  in  Ripon,  where  it  was 
roughly  estimated  that  never  less  than  20,000  men 
were  stationed.  Very  soon  good  proofs  were  forth- 
coming of  the  practical  value  of  the  work  to  those  it 
was  intended  to  bless.  Through  this  Room,  many  men 
were  led  to  the  study  of  Christian  Science,  and  some 
interesting  cases  of  healing  took  place.  In  many  in- 
stances fear  of  going  to  the  front  was  eliminated.  One 
man  writes: 

"I  am  greatly  thankful  for  what  knowledge  I  have  got  of 
the  truth,  and  although  I  miss  the  Reading  Room,  I  don't 
miss  God.  I  feel  I  have  got  a  good  hold,  and  I  am  sure  noth- 
ing will  shake  me  off.  I  feel  as  happy  as  possible  with  this 
lesson,  knowing  that  God  is  with  me  wherever  I  go." 

The  attendance  grew  so  rapidly  that  it  was  soon 
felt  that  there  was  a  call  for  a  much  larger  thought 
and  a  grander  and  wider  view  of  the  infinite  possi- 
bilities of  the  work,  and  all  the  churches  and  societies 
in  the  county  were  invited  to  cooperate.  A  whole 
house  was  taken,  providing  more  adequate  accommo- 
dation, and  many  were  the  expressions  of  gratitude 
for  the  quiet,  order  and  restful  atmosphere  prevalent. 
The  military  police  were  particularly  struck  with  the 
order  and  refinement  of  the  Rooms,  one  of  them  re- 
marking, "You  do  get  the  best  men  here." 

The  attitude  of  the  soldiers  in  using  the  Rooms  was 

218 


War  Relief  Rooms,  Colchester,  England 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

invariably  one  of  gratitude  and  courtesy,  manifested 
in  such  practical  ways  as  taking  the  mud  off  their 
boots  at  the  door,  and  in  their  extreme  care  of  the 
chairs  and  tables  provided.  Many  of  the  men  sent 
home  some  of  the  literature  to  their  wives  and  rela- 
tives, and  in  this  way  interest  in  Christian  Science  has 
spread,  accompanied  in  many  cases  with  quick  healing 
results.  One  soldier  who  attended  the  Rooms  sent  a 
beautiful  testimony  expressing  his  gratitude  for  many 
benefits  received  through  Christian  Science — his  wife 
was  healed  of  an  internal  trouble  of  seven  years' 
standing,  and  also  of  baldness — he,  himself,  of  chronic 
rheumatism,  and  he  finished  his  testimony  by  saying: 

"In  domestic  affairs,  in  the  care  of  our  children,  and  in 
our  relations  with  that  larger  family  of  God's  children,  in 
fact,  wherever  there  is  discord,  the  learning  of,  and  humble 
obedience  to,  the  teachings  of  Christian  Science  promise  us 
great  blessings." 

Another  man  so  treasured  a  Journal  which  he  had 
been  given  that  he  wrote  to  say  he  carried  it  about 
next  his  shirt,  because  he  had  no  pocket  large  enough 
to  put  it  in. 

Approximately  10,450  men  visited  the  Rooms  at 
Ripon  in  six  months  and  genuine  appreciation  and 
gratitude  for  the  great  benefits  received  were  daily 
expressed. 

On  October  17,  1918,  the  first  Sunday  service  was 
held  in  one  of  the  largest  rooms  of  the  Ripon  house 
at  3  o'clock.  An  officer  and  a  private  acted  as  First 
and  Second  Readers,  and  there  were  eight  or  ten  sol- 
diers present  besides  a  few  civilians.  The  numbers  at- 
tending steadily  increased,  the  last  two  Sundays,  the 

219 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Room  being  nearly  full.  A  young  officer,  in  express- 
ing appreciation  of  these  Rooms,  said: 

"How  the  work  done  here  will  fill  your  churches.  Men  get 
a  firm  grip  on  Christian  Science  in  these  Rooms,  and  it  is 
bound  to  bear  fruit  wherever  they  go." 

NEWCASTLE 

In  Newcastle  large  numbers  of  soldiers  were  sta- 
tioned for  the  purpose  of  coast  defence,  and  early  in 
1917,  the  members  of  First  Church  of  Christ,  Scien- 
tist, realized  that  a  quiet  room  for  reading  and  writing 
was  greatly  needed  to  serve  the  men  billeted  in  the 
town.  The  church  board  room  was  set  aside  for  this 
purpose,  and  was  soon  overflowing  with  men  grateful 
to  find  such  a  haven  of  rest.  During  the  earlier  hours 
of  the  day,  the  Room  was  full  of  convalescent  soldiers, 
who  greatly  appreciated  the  Monitor  and  carried  it 
back  with  them  to  their  hospitals.  The  Room  was  open 
for  rather  more  than  two  years,  during  which  period 
more  than  21,000  British  soldiers  made  use  of  it. 

DUBLIN 

Later  in  the  same  year  First  Church  of  Christ, 
Scientist,  Dublin,  Ireland,  took  steps  to  open  a  War 
Relief  Room  for  the  large  number  of  soldiers  and 
sailors  stationed  in  or  passing  through  the  town.  The 
work  was  successful  from  the  beginning,  but  when  it 
was  placed  under  The  Mother  Church  scheme  in  1918, 
there  was  a  marked  increase  in  the  attendance,  and 
it  was  found  necessary  to  open  larger  premises  to 
accommodate  the  men.  The  Rooms  undoubtedly  filled 
a  great  need,  as  was  evidenced  by  the  universal  ex- 

220 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

pressions  of  appreciation  which  came  from  the  sol- 
diers, for  the  comfort  and  rest  found  there,  for 
the  ample  supply  of  writing  materials,  for  the  oppor- 
tunity of  reading  the  Christian  Science  publications 
and  for  the  friendly  welcome  extended  to  all  comers. 
Many  liked  to  talk  and  unburden  their  troubles,  or  to 
ask  questions  regarding  the  teachings  of  Christian 
Science.  An  American  soldier,  now  returned  to  the 
States,  wrote  to  a  member  of  the  War  Relief  Com- 
mittee : 

"My  worries  all  vanished  into  nothingness  through  the 
much-needed  Christian  Science  treatments  which  you  gave 
me  and  the  kindness  you  showed  me  while  in  your  city,  for 
which  I  thank  you  more  than  I  can  express  with  a  pen,  and 
which  I  will  never  forget.  If  it  had  not  been  for  Christian 
Science  I  do  not  know  what  I  would  have  done,  but  it  has 
met  my  every  need." 

A  number  of  aviators  regularly  made  use  of  the 
Rooms  as  well  as  members  of  the  Queen  Mary  Army 
Auxiliary  Corps,  of  the  Women's  Royal  Naval  Corps, 
and  of  the  Women's  Legion.  Several  boys  used  the 
Rooms  for  quiet  study  in  preparation  for  examina- 
tions and  said  that  they  could  learn  more  there  in  ten 
days  than  anywhere  else  in  a  month.  As  the  time  given 
was  quite  inadequate  for  the  amount  of  work  to  be 
done,  the  Rooms  were  a  huge  help  to  such  boys. 

BEXHILL-ON-SEA 

The  War  Relief  Room  opened  at  Bexhill-on-Sea 
on  the  coast  of  Sussex  accomplished  valuable  work 
especially  for  the  Canadians,  who  were  stationed  in 
large  camps  or  billeted  in  the  town.  Healing  took 

221 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

place  from  the  beginning  of  the  work,  and  quite  a 
number  of  men  became  interested  in  Christian  Science. 
They  were  especially  glad  to  find  a  friend  in  the 
Rooms  to  whom  they  could  talk  of  their  dear  ones  at 
home.  On  one  occasion  a  man  asked  the  Worker  if 
she  could  help  his  child  in  Canada,  who  had  consump- 
tion. Treatment  was  begun  and  some  weeks  after,  the 
soldier  brought  in  a  letter  from  his  wife,  saying  that 
the  child  had  been  passed  by  the  same  doctor  as  per- 
fectly well, 

EDINBURGH 

In  July,  1918,  First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist, 
Edinburgh,  Scotland,  opened  a  War  Relief  Room  to 
serve  the  needs  both  of  the  military  forces  stationed 
in  the  town  and  of  the  fleet  operating  from  Rosyth 
naval  base  in  the  Firth  of  Forth.  Large  numbers  of 
men  from  the  British  Colonies  came  to  spend  their 
leave  in  this  old  historic  town  and  some  found  their 
way  to  the  Rooms.  Many  interesting  experiences  are 
on  record  of  conversations  with  men  from  different 
parts  of  the  world,  with  whom  the  Workers  had  the 
opportunity  of  breaking  the  bread  of  Life. 


LONDON 

The  unflagging  interest  and  support  given  to  these 
early  efforts  by  the  contributing  churches  was  note- 
worthy. The  cost  of  each  Room  reached  a  sum  of  some 
£500  per  annum,  but  the  members  of  the  different 
churches  were  always  ready  to  encourage  any  increase 
of  the  work  in  every  possible  way.  With  the  incoming 
of  the  men  of  the  American  army  and  navy  the  Lon- 

222 


Christmas  at  Langres,  France 


Le  Mans,  France 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

don  churches  were  desirous  of  doing  something  to 
welcome  especially  the  Christian  Science  soldiers  and 
sailors.  The  delegates  of  the  churches  in  the  London 
district  met  in  conference  and  the  first  proposal  was 
to  open  a  welcome  bureau  where  men  and  officers 
could  get  any  information  they  might  require,  and 
where  they  would  be  introduced  to  Scientists  who 
would  show  them  hospitality.  As  the  idea  developed, 
it  was  decided  to  open  a  hostel  where  sleeping  accom- 
modations should  be  provided.  Accordingly  a  large 
and  beautifully  furnished  house,  close  to  the  head- 
quarters of  the  American  army  and  navy,  was  rented 
and  opened  on  August  1,  1918.  The  dining  room  was 
used  as  a  quiet  reading  room,  with  all  Mrs.  Eddy's 
books  and  the  current  literature  displayed.  The  two 
large  drawing  rooms,  the  windows  of  which  looked 
out  onto  the  Eaton  Square  Gardens,  were  arranged 
as  a  social  room  with  writing  tables  and  comfortable 
chairs. 

A  great  number  of  men,  some  resident  in  London, 
and  some  coming  from  the  camps,  foreign  service  and 
ships,  where  quiet  in  which  to  study  was  almost  im- 
possible to  obtain,  expressed  great  gratitude  for  the 
opportunity  afforded  them  by  the  Welfare  House. 
Many  who  were  not  Christian  Scientists  stayed  there 
and  received  their  first  introduction  to  Christian 
Science,  and  some  became  earnest  students. 

An  American  who  knew  very  little  of  Christian 
Science  was  most  impressed  with  the  kindness  and  hos- 
pitality he  received,  and  said:  "We  had  the  impression 
that  the  English  were  a  cold,  reserved,  inhospitable 
race,  but  your  welcome  to  us  has  been  warm  and  gen- 
erous beyond  words.  You  folks  in  this  place  have  done 

223 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

more  towards  removing  international  prejudices  than 
you  can  ever  dream  of."  On  many  occasions  men  from 
America,  Canada,  Scotland,  England,  Australia  and 
South  Africa  were  seen  conversing  together,  in  prac- 
tical demonstration  of  the  drawing  together  of  all  the 
great  English-speaking  peoples  in  one  great  unity  of 
purpose. 

THE  MOTHER  CHURCH  SCHEME 

In  July,  1918,  a  War  Relief  Committee  for  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  was  appointed  by  the  Christian 
Science  Board  of  Directors  to  supervise  all  the  exist- 
ing War  Relief  activities  in  the  United  Kingdom  and 
to  extend  the  work  to  localities  where  a  need  was 
manifest.  For 'this  purpose  a  branch  of  The  Mother 
Church  War  Relief  and  Camp  Welfare  Fund  was 
opened  and  administered  in  this  country  by  the  newly 
appointed  Committee.  Prior  to  this  date  the  expenses 
in  connection  with  the  ten  Rooms  opened  for  the  use 
of  the  men  in  the  service  had  been  met  entirely  by  the 
Christian  Scientists  locally.  After  the  announcement 
of  the  scheme  for  the  whole  country  the  Committees 
which  had  already  initiated  and  carried  on  the  work 
gave  their  loyal  support  to  the  general  plan  and  in  a 
short  time  the  work  was  adjusted  and  was  progressing 
most  satisfactorily.  The  decision  to  include  the  Read- 
ing and  Writing  Rooms  for  soldiers  and  sailors  al- 
ready existing  in  Great  Britain,  as  part  of  The 
Mother  Church  scheme  was  fraught  with  great  bless- 
ing, for  the  work  leapt  forward  in  a  most  wonderful 
way.  War  Relief  Committees  were  quickly  formed  up 
and  down  the  country,   and  within  eight  months, 

224 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

twelve  additional  War  Relief  Rooms  had  been  opened, 
which,  with  the  Welfare  House  in  London,  brought 
the  number  up  to  twenty-three,  with  a  total  staff  of 
forty-nine  workers. 

The  ideal  held  clearly  all  through  the  work  was 
found  in  a  measure  in  the  meaning  of  the  word  relief 
itself,  which  is  defined  variously  as  succor,  support, 
deliverance,  refreshment,  consolation,  comfort.  The 
War  Relief  scheme  of  The  Mother  Church  was  recog- 
nized as  bringing  the  message  of  the  Comforter  right 
down  into  the  urgent  problems  of  the  hour.  This  ideal 
so  inspired  the  work  that  all  over  the  county  men 
have  looked  on  the  War  Relief  Rooms  as  their  home, 
and  have  turned  there  for  help  and  encouragement. 
The  endeavor  was  to  place  in  charge  workers  who 
were  practical  Christian  Scientists,  who  would  be 
ready  to  take  any  opportunity  that  might  present  it- 
self of  serving  the  men,  or  the  women  in  the  auxiliary 
service,  and  equipping  them  to  meet  the  experiences 
which  lay  before  them.  Every  imaginable  problem, 
mental,  moral,  physical,  financial,  has  been  laid  before 
these  workers  and  with  remarkable  success  in  the  heal- 
ing of  the  different  conditions. 

A  special  effort  was  made  in  the  later  development 
of  the  scheme  to  provide  for  the  needs  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, Australians,  Canadians,  New  Zealanders  and 
South  Africans  stationed  in  this  country,  and  for  this 
purpose  War  Relief  Rooms  were  opened  at  several 
places  used  as  American  naval  bases,  or  as  Canadian 
or  other  camps.  Many  of  these  men  who  came  thou- 
sands of  miles  overseas  to  fight  for  their  highest  ideal 
of  good,  have,  through  the  War  Relief  Rooms,  found 
the  source  of  all  such  ideals. 

225 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

After  the  signing  of  the  armistice  in  November, 
1918,  a  review  of  the  conditions  in  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland  revealed  the  fact  that  there  still  remained 
work  of  great  importance  to  be  done  on  behalf  of  the 
men  in  the  navy  and  army,  and  that  new  opportu- 
nities were  opening  before  the  Workers  for  pre- 
senting the  availability  and  steadfastness  of  Principle 
in  this  time  of  transition.  In  the  ensuing  six  months 
several  Rooms  were  opened  and  although  only  in 
operation  for  a  short  period  of  time,  they  accomplished 
excellent  results. 

INVERNESS 

The  first  urgent  demand  for  a  War  Relief  Room 
came  to  the  new  Committee  from  the  Highlands  of 
Scotland,  where  a  large  American  naval  base  was  sit- 
uated quite  near  the  town  of  Inverness.  In  the  vicinity 
there  were  also  detachments  of  the  Royal  Defence 
Corps,  Royal  Army  Service  Corps,  agricultural  com- 
panies and  a  Canadian  Forestry  Headquarters.  Most 
suitable  premises  were  found  just  opposite  the  Ameri- 
can Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  the  center  of  the  town.  The  first 
Christian  Science  service  held  there  was  conducted  by 
the  Christian  Science  chaplain  attached  to  the  United 
States  Navy,  and  was  attended  by  American  naval 
men  of  various  ratings.  Since  that  day  in  September, 
1918,  services  were  held  regularly  and  conducted  by 
the  men  themselves  until  the  Room  closed  in  April, 
1919. 

As  there  was  no  local  Christian  Science  organiza- 
tion, a  Worker  from  the  north  of  England  was  ap- 
pointed, and  he  and  his  wife  set  off  as  pioneers,  in  a 
true  missionary  spirit.  They  were  equipped  with  spe- 

226 


War  Relief  Room,  Belfast,  Ireland 


Reading  and  Writing  Room  at  Bedford,  England 


The  Rooms  at  Aldershot,  England 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

cial  military  passes,  since  the  north  of  Scotland  was 
a  prohibited  area  under  the  Defense  of  the  Realm 
Act. 

The  boys  of  the  United  States  Navy,  operating  with 
the  Mine  fleet,  quickly  found  their  way  to  the  Room, 
seeking  comfort  and  relief  from  the  hard  and  stressful 
work  in  the  North  Sea,  when  the  great  mine  barrage 
was  being  laid.  At  times  the  War  Relief  Room  was 
crowded  with  boys  who  found  in  its  quiet  atmosphere 
the  needed  mental  rest  and  peace.  Some  had  a  good 
understanding  of  the  teachings  of  Christian  Science 
and  could  apply  it,  but  many  more  had  little  or  noth- 
ing to  turn  to  in  an  hour  of  need.  These  boys  found 
in  the  Rooms  a  "home  from  home,"  and  again  and 
again  were  encouraged  to  return  to  their  duties  with 
a  new  strength  born  of  an  understanding  of  the  omnip- 
otence and  everpresence  of  God. 

During  the  influenza  epidemic  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
premises  and  the  cinemas  were  closed,  and  the  War 
Relief  Room  was  crowded  by  the  men.  An  American 
sailor,  looking  very  ill,  came  into  the  Room  one  after- 
noon. He  asked  for  treatment  for  influenza,  which 
was  immediately  given  to  him,  as  he  said  he  was  feel- 
ing "all  in."  The  Worker  was  then  called  to  attend  to 
the  wants  of  other  men  and  left  the  boy  sitting  there. 
In  less  than  an  hour  he  left,  saying,  "I  am  quite  well 
now,  and  am  going  straight  back  to  my  duties." 

PLYMOUTH 

Shortly  after  the  decision  to  open  the  work  at 
Inverness,  the  needs  of  a  town  of  naval  importance 
in  the  south  of  England  were  brought  up  and  plans 
were  soon  in  hand  to  start  the  work  in  Plymouth.  An 

227 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

American  naval  base  had  been  established  there  in 
June,  from  which  a  force  of  sixty-six  submarine 
chasers  operated  under  the  general  direction  of  the 
British  naval  Commander-in-Chief  at  that  port. 
There  were  also  a  number  of  permanent  camps  round 
the  town,  as  well  as  the  dockyards,  forts  and  naval  and 
military  hospitals  spread  over  a  wide  area.  War  Relief 
Rooms  were  accordingly  opened  on  the  direct  road 
between  Plymouth  and  Devonport,  along  which  hun- 
dreds of  British  and  American  bluejackets  passed 
daily.  Situated  as  they  were  in  the  very  center  of  a 
neighborhood  which  offered  numerous  doubtful 
amusements  to  the  sailor  on  shore,  these  Rooms  had 
the  opportunity  and  privilege  of  saving  many  mere 
boys  from  temptations  of  various  kinds.  In  this  con- 
nection a  sailor  writes : 

"Oh,  what  a  Godsend  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief 
Rooms  have  been  to  me.  Those  most  perfect  evenings  spent 
there  while  in  the  service  have  been  of  endless  help  and  com- 
fort. I  recollect  well  how  I  fought  with  myself  one  evening 
between  going  to  a  Variety  show  and  the  War  Relief  Room, 
and  the  latter  won.  It  was  a  long  fight  but  the  reward  has 
been  great.  Since  my  first  visit  to  the  Room  the  Variety  has 
had  no  attraction  whatever  for  me." 

A  marine  said  to  the  Worker : 

"I  cannot  tell  you  how  grateful  I  am  for  these  Rooms. 
They  have  saved  me  from  so  much  I  could  only  regret.  Not 
that  I  am  naturally  vicious,  but  I  had  nowhere  I  cared  to  go, 
and  in  the  streets  temptation  was  flung  at  me  from  every 
corner." 

The  advent  of  such  a  quiet  and  uplifting  rendezvous 
quickly  became  known  at  the  large  dockyards,  and 
the  members  of  the  various  forces  soon  began  to  show 

228 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

their  appreciation  of  this  new  provision  for  their 
spiritual  as  well  as  their  physical  welfare.  Many- 
proofs  were  soon  forthcoming  of  the  practical  value 
of  the  work  in  healing  sickness.  On  one  occasion  a  non- 
commissioned officer  received  an  instantaneous  heal- 
ing of  influenza  and  was  able  to  go  on  the  range  in 
charge  of  a  firing  party  with  no  bad  results.  Other 
cases  of  influenza,  violent  toothache,  hemorrhage, 
colds,  etc.,  were  healed  by  treatment  or  through  the 
spoken  word.  The  Worker  writes : 

"From  the  first  day,  we  placed  the  work  of  the  War  Relief 
Room  in  the  care  and  under  the  guidance  of  divine  Love,  and 
ever  since  it  has  been  a  guiding  star  to  a  large  number  of 
men  and  women,  who  have  either  directly  or  indirectly, 
through  the  war,  been  taken  away  from  home  influences. 
Many  of  those  who  have  taken  advantage  of  this  latest  gift 
to  humanity  knew  little  if  anything  about  Christian  Science 
or  its  Founder,  Mrs.  Eddy,  and  without  exception,  all  have 
been  grateful  to  hear  about  a  religion  which  offered  such  a 
practical  proof  of  its  right  to  their  earnest  consideration. 
One  of  the  chief  American  Y.  M.  C.  A.  workers  here  stated 
a  few  days  ago  that  he  had  seen  and  heard  enough  about  the 
Christian  Science  War  Relief  Rooms  in  Union  Street  to  prove 
that  they  were  indeed  a  blessing.  With  the  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities the  work  has  undergone  a  certain  change  but  continues 
its  healing  activity  just  the  same,  for  to  use  the  words  of  a 
clergyman  who  called  in  to  inquire  about  our  work,  'The 
moral  effect  of  such  a  Christlike  effort  is  bound  to  be  great.'  " 


BRIGHTON 

In.  October  the  War  Relief  Committee  for  the 
county  of  Sussex  reported  the  urgent  need  of  a  room 
in  Brighton  for  the  use  of  men  from  the  large  camps 

229 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

round  the  town,  amongst  whom  some  splendid  dis- 
tribution had  been  done.  The  Christian  Scientists  were 
in  this  way  already  in  touch  with  numbers  of  Canadian 
and  British  soldiers  who,  it  was  believed,  would 
quickly  find  and  value  a  War  Relief  Room.  In  and 
around  the  town  itself  there  were  a  large  number  of 
hospitals  full  of  Canadian  and  American  wounded 
men,  and  the  streets  were  thronged  with  convalescents 
in  blue  hospital  uniforms. 

Very  attractive  Rooms  were  opened  in  November, 
and  on  the  first  day  several  wounded  men  from  the 
hospitals  found  their  way  in.  Soldiers  from  the  sur- 
rounding camps  soon  followed  and  the  Rooms  became 
a  center  especially  for  the  Canadians  and  Americans. 
One  day  a  Canadian  soldier  wounded  on  Paaschendale 
Ridge  came  in,  saying  that  he  was  a  Christian  Scien- 
tist from  New  York  City.  His  joy  at  finding  the  War 
Relief  Rooms  was  touching.  The  following  account 
is  given  by  the  Worker: 

"In  the  heart  of  Brighton,  a  town  well  known  for  its 
temptations  these  Rooms  are  quietly  and  unostentatiously 
sending  out  their  loving  invitation  to  those  who  will  hear. 
Limbless  men  from  the  Pavilion  Hospital  are  coming  more 
and  more,  also  many  Red  Cross  men.  The  news  seems  to  be 
spreading  like  wildfire  amongst  the  hospitals  just  lately  and 
we  feel  very  delighted  that  this  is  so.  A  Los  Angeles  man,  at 
present  in  one  of  the  hospitals,  comes  regularly  to  fetch  the 
latest  Monitor.  He  is  so  grateful  and  declares  that  the  Moni- 
tor is  the  best  paper  in  the  world,  and  that  he  always  finds 
news  of  home.  It  is  a  great  joy  to  realize  what  these  War 
Relief  Rooms  have  done  in  extending  help  to  many  who  are 
lonely  and  in  need  of  kindness." 

The  Workers  were  in  close  touch  with  the  hos- 
pitals   from    the    beginning,    and    were    called    on 

230 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

several  occasions  to  cases  of  men  wishing  Christian 
Science  treatment,  particularly  in  the  American  hos- 
pitals. At  one  of  these  the  matron  asked  for  four 
copies  of  Science  and  Health  to  lend  to  the  men  under 
her  charge  as  she  had  had  several  requests  for  Chris- 
tian Science  literature. 


LIVERPOOL 

In  October,  1918,  a  War  Relief  Worker  was  ap- 
pointed for  Liverpool,  and  the  first  week  was  spent 
in  visiting  daily  the  large  American  camp  at  Knotty 
Ash,  which  accommodated  60,000  men,  and  learning 
the  situation  of  the  various  quarters,  the  military  regu- 
lations, and  the  names  of  the  officers  in  charge.  In  this 
way  information  was  obtained  which  afterwards 
proved  most  valuable,  as  to  the  correct  authorities  to 
apply  to  in  order  to  expedite  operations.  In  accord- 
ance with  instructions  received  from  the  Commanding 
Officer,  the  first  distribution  of  Monitors  and  Senti- 
nels at  this  camp,  was  carried  out  with  the  cooperation 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Every  kindness  was  received  from 
the  officials  here  and  had  the  armistice  not  intervened, 
Christian  Science  services  would  have  been  held  in  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  tent  within  the  camp.  But  the  armistice 
was  the  signal  for  the  immediate  reduction  of  the 
camp,  in  order  that  the  men  should  be  sent  home  as 
quickly  as  possible.  Permission  had  already  been  ob- 
tained from  the  Commanding  Officer  of  Debarkation 
for  the  distribution  of  the  literature  at  the  different 
stations  and  boats  to  the  men  coming  into  Liverpool, 
and  signed  permits  to  enter  docks,  embarkation  stage, 
and  stations  were  given  to  each  distributor.  Therefore, 

231 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

when  the  return  home  of  the  troops  commenced  there 
was  no  delay.  A  neat  little  American  Red  Cross  hut, 
which  was  not  in  use,  was  kindly  lent  by  the  Cunard 
Steamship  Company,  in  which  to  store  our  papers, 
and  permission  was  given  to  have  our  name  displayed 
on  the  building. 

Amongst  the  thousands  of  men  who  passed  through 
Liverpool  weekly,  the  Monitor  was  well  known  and 
appreciated  and  the  remark  was  often  heard,  "It  is  a 
good  paper,  take  one."  On  this  recommendation  the 
Monitor  was  taken  by  those  who  until  then  had  not 
known  of  it.  At  each  distribution,  from  four  hundred 
to  seven  hundred  Monitors  were  taken  on  board  the 
ships  by  the  men  themselves.  This  personal  method  of 
distribution  provided  an  opportunity  for  those  in  need 
of  help  to  come  forward  and  ask  for  treatment  before 
going  aboard,  and  letters  of  gratitude  have  been  re- 
ceived from  those  benefited  in  this  way.  On  one  occa- 
sion a  young  sergeant  was  about  to  embark,  but  on 
seeing  the  Monitor  held  up,  he  asked  if  it  were  pos- 
sible for  him  to  obtain  a  textbook,  as  he  had  left  his 
own  with  a  man  who  seemed  to  need  it  more  than  he 
did.  The  vest-pocket  Science  and  Health  was  at  once 
given  him,  and  was  received  with  joy,  and  he  said, 
"I  knew  divine  Love  would  meet  my  need."  Several 
officers  have  come  up  and  asked  for  the  literature  and 
sometimes  have  told  of  the  help  and  comfort  they  have 
received  through  Christian  Science.  The  Sentinel  was 
also  asked  for,  and  many  men  patted  their  vest 
pockets  as  they  marched  by,  to  show  where  "the  little 
book"  was  treasured.  From  November,  1918,  until 
April,  1919,  29,366  Monitors  and  1521  Sentinels  and 
pamphlets  were  distributed   at  Liverpool   amongst 

232 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

troops  consisting  of  Americans,  Canadians,  Austra- 
lians, New  Zealanders,  Maoris  and  home-coming 
Britishers  from  the  East. 

On  one  occasion  a  body  of  11,000  men,  mostly 
from  Boston  and  its  districts,  passed  through  on  their 
way  to  embark  for  the  East,  and  when  they  saw  the 
Monitors,  the  distributors  were  nearly  mobbed.  The 
officer  in  charge  came  up  and  smilingly  offered  an 
apology  for  his  men.  He  said  they  were  nearly  all 
from  Boston,  and  knew  and  appreciated  The  Chris- 
tian Science  Monitor  and  thanked  us  for  giving  it  to 
the  men.  Whilst  they  were  lined  up,  the  officer  helped 
to  distribute  the  literature  and  the  Workers  were  glad 
to  be  able  fully  to  supply  the  demand.  The  friendly 
feeling  between  the  men  and  their  officers  was  very 
noticeable  as  expressing  harmony  and  confidence. 
When  they  marched  towards  the  ship,  Christian 
Science  came  in  for  an  enthusiastic  three  cheers. 

The  first  call  for  hospital  treatment  in  Liverpool 
came  at  the  outset  of  the  work  there,  and  since  then 
several  cases  received  Christian  Science  treatment. 
One  of  these  was  a  soldier  from  California  who 
was  given  up  by  the  doctors  on  account  of  his  exces- 
sive weakness.  When  the  Worker  reached  his  bedside, 
he  seemed  past  speaking,  but  treatment  was  given 
immediately  and  two  days  afterwards  he  was  taken 
to  another  hospital,  his  pulse  and  heart  having  re- 
gained sufficient  strength  for  the  doctors  to  operate. 
This  man  never  looked  back  but  gained  health  and 
strength  rapidly  and  was  soon  discharged,  finally  re- 
turning home  full  of  gratitude.  Another  man  was 
distraught  with  pain  for  which  the  doctors  could  give 
him  no  relief,  and  he  was  considered  to  be  beyond  hope 

233 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

of  recovery.  He  asked  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  worker  to  find 
a  Christian  Science  practitioner,  as  he  wanted  to  try 
Christian  Science  as  a  last  resort.  The  War  Relief 
Worker  at  once  visited  him  and  gave  him  the  help  he 
needed,  with  the  result  that  he  was  relieved  of  pain 
for  the  first  time  since  he  had  been  wounded.  He  has 
gone  on  steadily  and  is  now  buoyant  with  hope  and 
cheery  with  gratitude,  gaining  strength  daily. 


BELFAST 

The  War  Relief  Committee  for  county  Antrim  in 
Ireland,  reported  in  the  autumn  of  1918  that  a  large 
number  of  troops  were  stationed  in  and  around  the 
town  of  Belfast,  and  that  there  were  no  less  than 
fifteen  camps  within  easy  reach  of  the  town,  filled  with 
English  and  Scottish  troops,  all  the  Irish  troops  hav- 
ing been  withdrawn  on  account  of  the  Sinn  Fein  dis- 
turbances. The  ground  had  been  well  prepared  for  the 
establishment  of  a  War  Relief  Room  by  the  very 
thorough  distribution  of  literature  on  the  docks  among 
the  war  and  merchant  ships,  and  throughout  the 
camps.  Passes  were  obtained  giving  entrance  to  every 
part  of  the  docks  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  even  to 
the  sections  where  men  were  working  at  high  pres- 
sure, building  war  ships  and  repairing  and  camouflag- 
ing boats.  The  need  for  a  War  Relief  Room  became 
still  more  evident  with  the  appearance  of  the  Ameri- 
can men-of-war  in  Belfast  harbor.  Whenever  the 
broad-brimmed  cap  of  the  American  sailor  was  seen 
in  the  streets  of  Belfast,  the  Workers  set  off  to  the 
docks  to  find  the  ship  and  supply  it  with  Christian 
Science  literature.  Many  of  the  military  hospitals  in 

234 


War  Relief  Rooms  at  Portsmouth,  England 


Distributing  Monitors  to  troops  at  Liverpool,  England 


Ready  for  the  service  at  Ripon,  England 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

the  town  were  filled  with  American  convalescent 
troops.  Belfast  also  attracted  many  Colonials  who 
spent  their  leave  there.  After  the  War  Relief  Rooms 
were  opened  soldiers  and  sailors  alike  soon  found  their 
way  in  and  it  quickly  became  a  much  appreciated 
meeting  place. 

Many  of  the  visitors  had  not  even  heard  of  Chris- 
tian Science  though  they  had  traveled  all  through  the 
war  area,  so  that  it  was  comforting  to  know  that  in 
opening  these  Rooms,  even  at  the  eleventh  hour,  Bel- 
fast had  its  part  in  introducing  Christian  Science  to 
numerous  soldiers.  All  the  men  went  away  happy  and 
cheerful,  saying  they  felt  quite  at  home.  One  Irish 
soldier  who  was  a  frequent  visitor,  said  he  had  no 
friends  since  his  return,  as  they  had  all  become  Sinn 
Feiners  and  he  felt  very  isolated  because  they  would 
have  nothing  to  do  with  anyone  who  had  worn  the 
King's  uniform.  He  expressed  his  gratitude  for  the 
use  of  the  Rooms  and  the  friendliness  of  the  other 
soldiers. 

GLASGOW 

In  November  the  War  Relief  Committee  for  the 
county  of  Lanarkshire  in  Scotland  opened  a  Room 
in  a  street  adjoining  a  crowded  thoroughfare  in  Glas- 
gow, and  good  work  was  done  there,  especially  for 
demobilized  men.  Several  cases  are  on  record  of 
assistance  being  given  to  men  in  the  problem  of  find- 
ing work,  with  very  satisfactory  results. 

On  one  occasion  a  man  came  into  the  Room  in  great 
distress  of  mind  on  account  of  the  unhappy  circum- 
stances he  had  found  in  his  home  when  he  returned  on 
leave.  During  his  absence  his  wife  had  got  into  unde- 

235 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

sirable  company  and  had  practically  broken  up  the 
home.  He  had  brought  her  into  town  with  their  chil- 
dren and  taken  a  little  house  for  them,  feeling  that  it 
would  be  easier  for  her  to  make  a  fresh  start  in  dif- 
ferent surroundings,  but  he  was  full  of  fear  on  her 
account.  The  Worker  talked  with  him  and  helped 
him  and  gave  him  some  literature,  promising  to  go  to 
see  his  wife.  She  visited  the  home  next  day,  talked  to 
the  woman  and  gave  her  a  pamphlet  to  read.  Work 
was  speedily  found  for  her  and  she  is  now  going 
on  quietly  building  up  her  little  home  again.  The 
Monitor  and  the  Sentinel  are  sent  regularly  to  the 
man,  and  in  a  recent  letter  he  expressed  his  deep  grati- 
tude for  the  papers  and  for  the  help  his  family  had 
received. 

The  Rooms  were  also  used  by  men  from  Australia, 
New  Zealand,  Canada  and  the  United  States,  many 
of  whom  were  either  students  of  Christian  Science  or 
had  relatives  who  were.  Some  of  these  men  had 
found  themselves  forced  to  look  into  the  subject  for 
themselves  by  the  difficulties  they  encountered  in  their 
army  experience. 

BUXTON 

The  work  opened  up  next  at  Buxton,  which,  before 
the  war,  was  a  fashionable  watering-place  with  nu- 
merous hotels  and  hydropathics  situated  among  the 
hills  of  Derbyshire.  During  the  war  the  nature  of  the 
place  completely  changed,  invalids  and  pleasure- 
seekers  being  replaced  by  many  hundreds  of  men  in 
khaki  and  hospital  blues.  Buxton  became  one  of  the 
discharge  depots  for  the  Canadian  forces,  and  in  par- 
ticular for  married  men  who,  with  their  wives,  awaited 

236 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

transport  home,  for  periods  varying  from  two  weeks 
to  several  months.  The  hotels  were  converted  into 
hospitals  and  convalescent  homes  for  the  wounded, 
large  numbers  of  whom  were  to  be  seen  strolling  the 
streets  with  very  little  to  occupy  them.  In  January, 
1919,  the  Rooms  were  opened  by  the  War  Relief 
Committee,  and  the  Canadian  flag  was  hung  outside 
as  a  sign  of  welcome.  The  men  began  to  come  in  at 
once,  and  within  a  fortnight  the  Rooms  were  occupied 
to  their  full  capacity,  and  the  Committee  were  obliged 
to  consider  the  provision  of  further  accommodation. 

Although  the  Rooms  were  advertised  as  open 
between  twelve  and  nine  p.m.,  before  nine  in  the  morn- 
ing the  men  were  at  the  door  begging  for  admission. 
It  is  estimated  that  within  two  months  of  the  opening 
of  the  Rooms,  over  a  thousand  men  had  made  use  of 
them. 

The  Worker  writes : 

"There  seem  to  be  a  great  many  new  men  in  Buxton,  and 
they  find  their  way  down  here  the  first  night.  This  week  the 
attendance  has  been  over  three  hundred.  There  are  a  number 
of  men  studying  in  the  quiet  room,  and  several  have  had  talks 
with  me,  and  say  they  want  to  begin  at  the  rock  bottom  of 
Christian  Science,  so  of  course  they  have  been  referred  to  the 
textbook.  The  work  gets  more  and  more  interesting  and  the 
men  seem  to  be  growing  more  and  more  receptive.  They  come 
in  like  hungry  children  waiting  to  be  fed,  and  the  way  they 
come  and  ask  to  be  helped  is  simply  wonderful." 

Men  who  have  heard  of  Christian  Science  for  the 
first  time  in  Buxton,  have  returned  to  Canada  with 
the  determination  to  find  a  Christian  Science  Church 
and  learn  more  of  Truth.  Many  asked  for  copies  of 
the  textbook  to  study  on  the  voyage  home,  for  they 

237 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

have  found  that  there  is  after  all  a  "balm  in  Gilead" 
which  can  be  applied  to  every  problem. 

SEAFORD 

In  January,  1919,  a  War  Relief  Room  was  opened 
in  Seaford  in  Sussex  to  extend  the  work  already 
begun  by  the  local  Scientists  on  behalf  of  the  Cana- 
dians stationed  in  the  adjoining  camps.  These  camps 
contained  about  30,000  men  and  much  excellent  litera- 
ture distribution  had  been  carried  on  for  some  time. 
In  this  way  the  existence  of  the  Rooms  was  brought 
immediately  to  the  attention  of  the  men,  with  the 
result  that  many  times  there  were  not  enough  chairs 
for  all  the  men  who  flocked  in.  Within  a  few  minutes 
of  the  actual  opening  of  the  Rooms  a  case  was 
brought  to  the  Worker  for  treatment.  Since  then 
much  good  healing  has  taken  place.  One  man  who 
had  studied  Christian  Science  long  enough  to  be 
convinced  of  its  truth,  asked  for  help  for  a  cold  he 
had  had  two  months,  and  was  instantaneously  healed. 
He  then  asked  for  treatment  for  his  knee,  which  had 
been  strained  four  months  previously,  and  this  trouble 
also  yielded  quickly.  A  shell-shock  patient  bordering 
on  melancholia,  and  manifesting  unhealthy  conditions, 
came  to  the  Rooms  for  healing,  after  reading  Science 
and  Health,  lent  him  by  a  Christian  Scientist  in  the 
same  hut.  He  was  in  Seaford  for  five  days  and  took 
away  a  copy  of  the  textbook,  intending  to  study  it 
faithfully  during  his  leave.  He  has  since  written  to  tell 
of  his  healing  and  says  he  feels  perfectly  well  and  is 
happy  and  contented.  The  Room  has  been  a  home  to 
many  Canadians  who  have  greatly  appreciated  the 
loving  sympathy  shown  them  at  all  times. 

238 


War  Relief  Rooms,  Seaford,  England 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

PORTSMOUTH 

The  needs  of  Portsmouth  were  next  urgently 
brought  forward  as  being  those  of  a  large  naval  base, 
which  was  at  the  same  time  the  headquarters  of  two 
great  branches  of  the  marines  and  of  a  branch  of 
Garrison  Artillery.  The  town  was  also  one  of  the 
American  military  hospital  bases.  Accordingly  in  the 
spring  of  1919,  a  War  Relief  Room  was  opened  and 
promptly  made  use  of  by  men  in  all  branches  of  the 
service.  A  large  percentage  of  these  men  came  in  to 
write  their  letters,  but  remained  to  read.  Many  of 
them  made  friends  with  the  Worker  in  charge  and 
brought  him  their  problems  for  solution. 

A  gunner  came  in  one  day  and  said  he  wanted  to 
know  about  Christian  Science,  and  would  like  the  text- 
book. It  appeared  that  before  going  to  France,  he  had 
been  stationed  in  a  fort  where  one  of  the  garrison  was 
a  Christian  Scientist.  He  became  friendly  with  this 
man  and  was  very  much  struck  by  his  earnestness,  for, 
though  often  subjected  to  chaff  and  ridicule,  he  would 
stand  up  and  say  that  Christian  Science  was  the  thing 
he  valued  more  than  anything  else  in  his  life.  The 
example  of  this  man  had  such  an  effect  on  the  gunner 
that  when  he  saw  the  notice  of  the  War  Relief  Rooms 
put  up  in  the  barracks,  he  determined  to  go  and  learn 
something  of  Christian  Science.  He  inquired  imme- 
diately for  the  textbook,  saying  he  was  going  on  night 
duty  and  very  much  wanted  to  read  it.  Through  the 
study  of  Science  and  Health  he  was  healed  of  the 
smoking  habit  and  of  severe  pain  in  his  hand  and  arm 
caused  by  a  gunshot. 

A  sailor  came  into  the  Portsmouth  Rooms  one  day 

239 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

and  told  the  Worker  that  during  the  war,  Monitors 
were  sent  regularly  to  his  ship.  He  used  to  look 
through  them  casually,  but  one  day  was  attracted  by 
the  Home  Forum  page  and  read  an  article  called 
"Heaven."  This  so  took  hold  of  him  that  he  borrowed 
Science  and  Health  from  the  ship's  library  and  com- 
menced to  study.  He  said  that  there  were  about 
twenty  Scientists  on  his  ship,  consisting  of  all  ranks 
from  the  commander  to  the  pantry  boy.  This  man 
had  learned  of  the  War  Relief  Room  from  one  of  the 
notices  in  the  mess.  He  longed  to  possess  a  copy  of 
Science  and  Health  and  study  the  lesson-sermons, 
for  he  had  been  unable  to  read  regularly  since  leaving 
his  ship.  A  vest-pocket  edition  was  accordingly  given 
him,  together  with  the  Bible  and  Quarterly,  and  he 
left  the  Room  delighted  at  the  prospect  of  being  able 
to  read  and  study  once  more. 


READING 

The  necessity  of  starting  a  War  Relief  Room  in 
Reading,  Berkshire,  lay  in  the  fact  that  several  thou- 
sands of  soldiers  were  billeted  or  stationed  in  that 
town  and  that  a  large  number  of  hospitals  for 
wounded  men  were  in  active  operation.  While  there 
were  one  or  two  Y.  M.  C.  A.'s  and  Church  Army 
Rooms,  there  was  a  great  desire  amongst  the  men  for 
a  quiet  place  in  which  to  read  and  write.  From  the 
moment  the  decision  was  made  to  establish  such  a 
room,  all  the  arrangements  developed  most  harmo- 
niously and  rapidly.  On  the  day  of  opening,  the  Room 
was  used  at  once  in  the  luncheon  hour  by  men  from 
an  adjoining  military  office.  One  young  soldier  who 

240 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

had  found  little  to  mitigate  the  rigors  of  military  life, 
wrote  shortly  after  the  opening: 

"Fortunately  a  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Room  has 
been  opened  here  quite  recently,  just  outside  the  Army  Serv- 
ice Corps  offices,  as  luck  would  have  it,  and  I  go  over  there 
of  an  evening  and  my  friends  come  with  me,  including  M. 
and  several  others  who  love  to  sit  by  the  warm  fires.  .  .  . 
Certainly  the  fires  and  cozy  carpeted  floors  of  these  Christian 
Science  Rooms,  to  say  nothing  of  the  loving  help  of  the 
ladies  in  charge,  have  been  a  Godsend  to  me  and  poured  oil 
on  the  troubled  waters.  These  places  are  all  over  the  shop 
now." 

The  county  Committee  for  Berkshire  says  in  one 
of  its  reports : 

"There  have  been  many  expressions  of  gratitude  for  these 
Rooms,  for  the  quiet  and  comfort  found  there.  Many  men 
come  regularly  and  new  ones  are  constantly  finding  their  way 
here.  A  man  came  in  to  write  a  letter  one  evening,  and 
thanked  the  Worker  before  he  left,  saying  he  had  not  spent 
such  a  comfortable  evening  in  Reading  before,  and  added, 
'We  could  not  do  without  these  places.'  An  army  chaplain 
came  in  to  write  some  letters  and  said  it  was  very  kind  of  us 
to  have  such  nice  places  for  the  men,  and  he  hoped  they  were 
appreciated.  It  is  interesting  to  see  the  help  the  men  get,  and 
how  they  gradually  begin  to  get  freer.  One  evening  a  man, 
suffering  great  pain,  came  in  and  had  a  talk  with  the  Worker. 
A  passage  from  Science  and  Health  was  given  to  him  to  study 
and  the  next  day  he  came  to  say  he  had  been  healed.  Another 
man  who  could  hardly  keep  his  foot  still  on  account  of  pain 
caused  by  a  sword  wound,  came  to  the  Room.  The  next  time 
he  appeared  he  said  he  had  had  no  pain  since  the  day  he 
visited  the  War  Relief  Room." 


241 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

TUNBRIDGE  WELLS 

Distribution  of  Christian  Science  literature  had 
been  steadily  carried  on  during  the  war  amongst  the 
soldiers  stationed  at  Tunbridge  Wells  in  the  county 
of  Kent,  and  in  the  spring  of  1919,  efforts  were  made 
to  obtain  premises  for  a  War  Relief  Room.  The  same 
conditions  obtained  here  as  in  the  other  towns, 
namely,  that  all  available  places  were  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  military  authorities  who  would  not  release 
them,  but  at  last  suitable  rooms  were  secured  and 
opened  late  in  March. 

The  first  case  of  healing  in  the  Rooms  was  that  of 
a  man  who  had  been  badly  hurt  by  a  kick  in  his  side  at 
football.  He  asked  for  Christian  Science  treatment, 
and  came  back  to  the  Rooms  two  hours  later  to  say 
that  all  was  well,  and  there  was  no  occasion  for  any 
more  work  to  be  done  for  him. 

A  soldier  who  had  been  in  similar  rooms  at  New- 
castle and  Ripon,  came  in  and  after  writing  a  letter, 
stated  that  he  anticipated  spending  most  of  his  after- 
noons there  reading  Science  and  Health.  He  ex- 
pressed much  gratitude  for  the  good  he  had  received 
in  the  War  Relief  Rooms,  and  said  how  very  much 
he  had  been  helped  to  overcome  bad  habits. 

A  corporal  came  in  one  day  and  gave  an  excellent 
account  of  the  support  Science  had  been  to  him  in 
France.  He  told  how  he  had  been  able  to  hearten 
men  who  were  to  go  "over  the  top"  and  how  many  a 
time — in  the  tightest  places — he  and  all  his  men  had 
come  back  safe,  which  he  attributes  entirely  to  his 
knowledge  of  Christian  Science  and  that  of  the  nu- 
merous Scientists  among  his  men.  He  had  been  origi- 

242 


In  the  Room  at  Inverness,  Scotland 


Reading  and  Writing  Room,  Dublin,  Ireland 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

nally  in  the  navy  and  was  an  engineer  on  board  the 
Crecy  when  she  was  torpedoed,  and  all  through  that 
trying  experience  he  had  felt  entire  confidence  in  the 
power  that  saved  him. 

With  the  opening  of  the  Rooms  the  increase  of 
interest  in  Christian  Science  amongst  the  civilian 
population  at  Tunbridge  Wells  was  very  marked 
and  the  whole  day  long,  men,  women  and  children 
were  to  be  seen  reading  the  literature  which  was  at- 
tractively displayed  in  the  window.  Many  came  in  to 
ask  questions  and  were  sent  to  the  Christian  Science 
Reading  Rooms  of  the  local  society.  The  local  Scien- 
tists themselves  feel  great  gratitude  on  this  account, 
and  know  that,  although  the  War  Relief  Rooms  were 
open  only  for  a  short  time,  they  fulfilled  their 
mission. 


BLANDFORD 

At  Blandford  in  the  county  of  Dorset,  a  new  camp 
to  accommodate  about  18,000  men  was  opened  early 
in  the  war  and  eventually  taken  over  by  the  Royal 
Air  Force.  The  camp,  which  extended  over  a  wide 
area  and  was  very  isolated,  included  also  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  members  of  the  Women's  Army  Auxiliary 
Corps  and  of  the  Women's  Royal  Air  Force.  The 
good  work  of  a  small  group  of  local  Christian  Scien- 
tists culminated  in  the  appointment  of  the  first  and 
only  Christian  Science  Welfare  Worker  officially 
permitted  to  live  and  work  inside  a  military  camp  in 
Great  Britain.  The  advent  of  the  Worker  was  warmly 
welcomed  by  the  General  in  command,  who  placed  a 
large  vacant  hut  on  one  of  the  main  roads  inside  the 

243 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

camp  at  the  disposal  of  the  Committee  for  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland,  and  offered  every  facility  in  the 
way  of  labor  and  materials  towards  converting  the  hut 
into  a  suitable  Reading  Room. 

With  the  exception  of  not  having  a  commission,  the 
status  of  the  War  Relief  Worker  was  in  every  respect 
that  of  a  chaplain.  He  was  given  an  open  camp  pass, 
a  free  permit  to  ride  on  any  War  Department 
vehicle  and  was  an  honorary  member  of  the  officers' 
mess.  At  mess  there  was  often  a  good  deal  of  banter 
about  Christian  Science,  but  this  was  always  readily 
answered  and  very  often  led  to  earnest  inquiry  and  in 
some  cases  to  a  request  for  metaphysical  help  and  a 
grateful  acknowledgment  of  instantaneous  healing. 
On  one  occasion  the  Worker  was  sent  for  to  help  at 
an  officers'  sing-song  where  much  drinking  was  going 
on.  His  influence  and  knowledge  of  music  so  improved 
the  situation  that  the  drinking  ceased. 

Everyone  in  the  camp,  Padres  and  officers  included, 
cooperated  with  the  Worker  and  showed  many  signs 
of  their  appreciation  of  the  Room.  A  portion  of  the 
hut  was  partitioned  off  at  the  special  request  of  their 
commanding  officer  for  the  use  of  recruits  under 
eighteen  years  in  training  for  the  Royal  Air  Force. 
These  boys,  who  were  arriving  in  weekly  drafts  of 
from  two  to  three  hundred,  were  quite  undisciplined 
and  many  of  them  drawn  from  the  slums.  This  officer 
started  a  system  of  certificates  for  good  conduct  to 
be  issued  on  the  recommendation  of  the  non-commis- 
sioned officer  and  signed  by  the  officer  in  charge,  en- 
titling the  bearer  to  the  use  of  the  War  Relief  Room. 
These  permits  became  a  great  incentive  to  good 
behavior  amongst  the  boys.  All  the  old  Christian  Sci- 

244 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

ence  Monitors  were  eagerly  sought  after  by  one  of  the 
officers  in  charge  of  the  boys'  section,  who  wrote: 

"May  I  ask  a  favor?  A  few  weeks  ago  you  gave  me  some 
Christian  Science  papers  (Monitors)  which  I  distributed 
amongst  the  boys.  Ever  since  I  have  been  importuned  for 
your  papers,  and  should  esteem  it  a  favor  if  you  could  pos- 
sibly send  me  thirty  copies  a  week." 

The  Room  was  in  constant  use  from  early  morning 
until  late  in  the  evening,  by  both  men  and  women,  and 
work  of  a  most  valuable  and  far-reaching  character 
was  carried  on.  Services  were  held  twice  on  Sundays 
and  notice  of  these  appeared  in  the  general  military 
orders  issued  on  Fridays.  These  orders  contained  a 
list  of  the  recognized  religious  services  permitted  in 
camp,  for  which  leave  from  army  duties  was  granted 
without  question.  The  lists  were  hung  in  every 
orderly  room  throughout  the  camp. 

Large  drafts  for  overseas  service  passed  through 
Blandford  camp  and  these  men  and  women,  en  route 
for  Italy,  France  and  Russia,  asked  for  the  Christian 
Science  Room  because  it  had  become  widely  known 
that  nothing  was  too  much  trouble  to  the  Workers, 
and  many  and  varied  were  the  services  rendered  to 
these  passing  visitors. 

A  W.  A.  A.  C.  who  was  going  on  five  days'  leave, 
came  in  and  told  the  Worker  she  felt  so  ill  she  would 
never  be  able  to  make  the  journey.  She  received  help 
and  called  next  day  to  say  she  was  fit  and  well.  She 
sent  a  postcard  three  days  later  to  let  the  Worker 
know  all  was  going  splendidly. 

The  staff  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  when  the  Worker 
called  with  a  supply  of  Christian  Science  Monitors 
one  day,  insisted  on  keeping  him  to  lunch,  saying  as 

245 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

they  were  reaping  of  his  spiritual  gifts  he  must  at 
least  share  their  material  ones.  The  Padres  of  other 
denominations  were  also  very  happy  about  the  advent 
of  the  War  Relief  Room  at  Blandford,  and  not  only 
did  they  frequently  visit  it  themselves,  but  they  were 
anxious  their  boys  should  do  so.  So  in  the  words  of  the 
Worker : 

"We  are  all  just  one  big  happy  family  working  together 
for  God,  if  through  different  channels,  still  with  the  same 
spirit,  trying  to  remember  that  'God  ordains  no  other  bands, 
than  united  hearts  and  hands'  "  (Christian  Science  Hymnal). 

The  men  and  women  who  have  heard  of  Christian 
Science  through  the  War  Relief  Rooms  and  have 
taken  up  the  study  have,  in  frequent  instances,  not 
only  been  healed  themselves,  but  have  carried  the  good 
news  back  to  their  homes  and  have  there  demon- 
strated the  understanding  gained.  The  story  is  re- 
corded of  a  young  soldier  who,  with  only  a  dawning 
knowledge  of  the  teachings  of  Christian  Science, 
healed  instantaneously  two  of  his  mates  who  were  ill 
with  influenza.  Another  man  returning  home  on  leave 
found  his  wife  seriously  ill,  and  after  telling  her  of 
his  new-found  knowledge  of  God,  and  reading  to  her 
passages  from  the  textbook,  to  his  great  joy  she  de- 
clared she  was  healed  and  able  to  attend  to  her  work 
again.  Many  accounts  have  come  in  of  men  who 
"facing  fearful  odds"  on  land  and  sea,  have  come 
through  unscathed  and  who  attribute  their  safety  to 
their  understanding  of  Christian  Science.  The  Work- 
ers in  the  different  Rooms  testify  that  the  men  have 
seemed  as  though  they  were  literally  hungering  and 
thirsting  after  righteousness  and  that,  having  received 
the  bread  of  life,  they  have  in  their  turn  "borne  this 

246 


ENGLAND'S  ANSWER  TO  THE  CALL 

bread  from  house  to  house,  breaking  (explaining)  it 
to  others"  (Science  and  Health,  page  33). 

A  record  of  the  work  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland 
would  not  be  complete  without  reference  to  the  splen- 
did literature  distribution  that  has  been  carried  on 
throughout  the  country  since  the  early  days  of  the 
war.  This  was  first  made  possible  through  the  gener- 
osity of  the  Trustees  under  the  Will  of  Mary  Baker 
Eddy,  and  later  through  the  War  Relief  Fund. 
Quantities  of  Christian  Science  literature  have  been 
distributed  far  and  wide  to  the  army  and  navy  and 
in  this  way  have  reached  the  training  camps,  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  huts,  the  hospitals,  the  trenches,  the  fleet  on 
patrol  in  the  North  Sea,  and  the  vessels  of  the  mine- 
sweeping  fleet  all  round  the  coast.  Numbers  of  letters 
have  been  received  from  men  engaged  in  many  widely 
differing  war  time  vocations  in  different  parts  of  the 
world,  telling  of  the  timely  help  and  comfort  which 
have  so  often  come  to  them  through  the  literature. 
Early  in  1917  permission  was  obtained  to  send  litera- 
ture regularly  to  a  number  of  British  and  Canadian 
prisoners  of  war  in  Germany  and  to  men  interned  in 
Holland.  Literature  has  also  been  supplied  to  German 
prisoners  of  war  in  internment  camps  in  Great  Britain 
and  many  of  the  men  who  have  been  repatriated  have 
gone  back  to  Germany  with  Christian  Science  litera- 
ture in  their  pockets. 

In  the  spring  of  1919  it  was  clearly  recognized  that 
the  emergency  that  had  brought  the  War  Relief 
scheme  into  being  was  fast  disappearing  and  that 
much  of  the  splendid  work  undertaken  by  the  Com- 
mittees could  be  transferred  to  the  Christian  Science 
churches  and  societies.  It  was  felt  that  the  time  had 

247 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

come  to  put  the  work  back  onto  a  peace  basis  and  to 
link  up  the  soldier,  sailor  or  demobilized  man,  who  so 
desired,  with  the  existing  Christian  Science  organi- 
zations. In  many  places  the  local  churches  recognized 
the  opportunity  and  opened  their  Reading  Rooms  to 
suit  the  convenience  of  the  men  after  the  closing  of 
the  War  Relief  Rooms,  and  in  this  way  have  under- 
taken the  work  of  assisting  the  soldiers  back  to 
civil  life.  An  enlarged  concept  of  what  War  Relief 
work  has  meant  to  the  movement  and  of  what  the 
movement  can  do  for  humanity  has  in  this  way  been 
gained.  From  different  parts  of  the  country  evidence 
has  come  in  to  show  that  the  War  Relief  work  has 
greatly  strengthened  the  churches  in  the  different 
localities.  In  some  instances  Christian  Science  Socie- 
ties have  been  formed  in  towns  where  the  War  Relief 
activities  have  drawn  the  Scientists  together  and  en- 
couraged them  to  go  forward.  And  not  only  have 
groups  of  Christian  Scientists  been  drawn  together 
in  this  service  to  their  fellow  men,  but  there  has  grown 
up  a  clearer  consciousness  of  the  unity  of  the  whole 
Christian  Science  movement  and  of  its  great  mission 
for  the  salvation  of  mankind. 

The  gathering  of  the  harvest  of  the  War  Relief 
work  is  an  impossible  task,  for  like  the  good  seed  of 
the  parable,  the  multiplying  is  beyond  possibility  of 
record,  but  there  is  manifold  evidence  that  these 
activities  have  brought  nearer  the  day  when  "the 
earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory 
of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 


248 


VII 
A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

"These  ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  the  other 
undone." — Luke  11 :  42. 

A  happy  world  in  quiet  action  lay.  Its  humble  tasks, 
its  homely  joys,  filled  each  succeeding  day.  Sunrise 
and  sunset,  the  morning  lark,  the  evening  thrush 
marked  time,  while  men  and  women  ceased  their  plow- 
ing for  the  planting,  the  weeding  for  the  reaping.  The 
hidden  root,  the  plant,  the  vine  and  every  fruit-filled 
tree  was  yielding  up  its  increase,  and  strains  of  grati- 
tude borne  on  the  August  breezes,  hinted  the  oncom- 
ing harvest.  So  lay  the  world  in  active  peace,  when  a 
flash,  a  peal,  a  thunderous  roll  announced  the  foe. 
Hell's  stores  were  opened,  and  an  anguished  world 
convulsed. 

The  first  faint,  piteous  moan  touched  the  pitying 
heart,  and  help  went  out  to  relieve  it;  but  the  moan 
gave  way  to  one  great  human,  globe-encircling  cry, 
and,  Deo  gratias,  a  world  of  love  went  out  to  meet  it. 
Through  men  this  quick  response  took  arms.  What 
could  it  do  through  women?  Much.  It  could  say  to  the 
enlisting  men:  "The  womanhood  of  the  world  is  with 
you;  it  will  provide  you  warmth  and  comfort;  it  will 
bring  you  cheer,  encouragement,  and  even  joy."  To 
the  widow  and  the  fatherless  it  could  say:  "The  great 
mother-heart  of  the  universe  embraces  you;  lean  on 
it ;  for  it  will  feed  you,  clothe  you,  comfort  you." 

249 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

The  Christian  Scientists,  with  those  of  every  other 
creed  and  faith,  heard  the  call  and  answered,  using  at 
first  the  only  available  means.  Individually  they  gave 
their  services  to  existent  relief  organizations;  in 
groups  they  purchased  wool  in  quantities,  knitting 
and  teaching  the  use  of  the  needles  to  others  less  pro- 
ficient, made  and  fitted  comfort  bags,  and  distributed 
the  results  to  individuals  in  the  service.  Calls  for  bags 
and  knitted  garments,  however,  steadily  increased, 
and  while  they  were  met  with  rapidly  increasing  labor, 
the  lack  of  an  organized  clearing  house  was  keenly 
felt.  There  seemed  to  be  one  clear,  insistent  call: 

"Make  channels  for  the  streams  of  love, 
Where  they  may  broadly  run ; 
And  love  has  overflowing  streams 
To  fill  them  ev'ry  one." 

The  call  was  heard,  plans  quickly  developed,  and 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  head- 
quarters were  opened  in  the  house  owned  by  the 
church,  at  191  Huntington  Avenue,  Boston.  Here 
yarn  was  sold,  model  garments  exhibited,  and  all 
knitted  wear  received  and  distributed.  Even  this  step 
toward  systematization  added  a  stimulus  to  individual 
efforts.  For  example,  one  woman  turned  her  house 
into  a  workshop  for  several  days,  for  the  making  of 
the  first  twenty  sweater  vests,  the  garment  that  "fitted 
so  well,"  was  "so  soft  and  warm,"  and  had  "such  a 
nice  feeling." 

It  was  during  this  period  that  the  Halifax  disaster 
occurred,  and  the  value  of  a  well-constructed  organi- 
zation, vitalized  with  love  and  intelligence,  was  mani- 
fested. The  response  of  the  Scientists  to  their  brothers' 
needs  was  almost  overwhelming;  and  in  an  incredibly 

250 


—     E 

X  w 


23  ^ 


•SI     3 

co  co 


O 


HI     * 


X 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

short  time  the  donated  garments,  both  old  and  new, 
were  assorted  and  shipped,  bringing  forth  from  one 
of  the  Canadian  authorities  the  statement  that  never 
had  he  seen  a  more  practical  manifestation  of  genuine 
Christianity. 

The  joy  of  self-forgetfulness,  of  seeking  one's  own 
in  another's  good,  put  a  new  value  upon  the  "odd 
moments,"  and  quickened  the  click  of  the  needles. 
Knitted  garments  came  in,  in  ever  increasing  numbers 
and  varieties.  Yet,  though  human  need  was  daily  in- 
creasing, and  the  stream  of  warmth  and  comfort 
necessary  to  meet  it  was  daily  deepening  and  broaden- 
ing, suddenly  every  facility  for  larger  giving  was  shut 
off.  The  locks  were  closed,  as  it  were,  and  the  stream 
held  up  without  an  outlet.  What  was  the  matter? 
What  was  lacking?  What  the  one  thing  needful? 
Prayer  for  enlightenment  was  answered:  ours  was 
"a  deed  without  a  name."  If  we  were  acting  "in  His 
name"  we  could  say  so.  Quickly  appeared  the  little 
label  "Comforts  Forwarding  Committee.  Christian 
Scientists."  The  locks  swung  open  at  its  touch,  and 
the  liberated  stream  poured  out  uninterruptedly  to 
the  end.  The  question  of  knitting  was  settled,  but 
other  needs  were  now  arising.  What  of  the  soft,  warm 
garments  and  other  accessories  so  necessary  to  the 
comfort  of  the  men  in  the  hospitals  and  resting  camps  ? 
What,  too,  of  the  refugees?  "I  was  .  .  .  naked,  and 
ye  clothed  me."  A  moment  saved  is  a  moment  earned, 
and  a  needed,  kindly  deed  no  waste.  Moreover,  what 
messages  of  love,  of  truth,  could  go  forth  with  every 
garment.  "The  divinity  of  the  Christ  was  made  mani- 
fest in  the  humanity  of  Jesus"  ( Science  and  Health, 
page  25 ) ;  the  tender  love  of  the  Church  of  Christ, 
Scientist,  could  now  declare  itself  in  a  new,  tender  and 

251 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

practical  way  to  all  mankind.  The  universal  language 
is  its  own  interpreter.  The  decision  was  quickly 
reached,  the  last  doubt  silenced,  and  every  woman  was 
free  to  express  in  some  measure  her  sympathy. 

Every  great  movement  lies  first  in  embryo,  in  an 
expanding  area  of  human  consciousness,  until  its 
necessity  find  utterance  through  someone  fitted  to 
express  it.  Such  an  one  invited  to  her  home  ten  other 
Scientists,  each  making  there  a  sample  garment  which 
she  took  to  her  own  home,  together  with  material  for 
one  hundred  and  ten  similar  garments.  Her  home 
became  the  meeting-place  for  another  unit  of  ten,  of 
which  she  was  the  captain,  each  of  whom  took  her 
garment,  together  with  material  for  ten  more,  to  her 
home,  where  she  became  the  captain  of  still  another 
unit.  In  this  simple  way,  quietly,  unostentatiously,  one 
thousand  one  hundred  and  ten  new  garments  could  be 
turned  out  each  week;  and  as  the  more  expensive 
material  of  one  week  was  offset  by  a  simpler  one  the 
next,  the  weekly  individual  payment  of  twenty-five 
cents  covered,  in  the  beginning,  the  cost  of  production. 

Widening  activities  necessitated  larger  headquar- 
ters, and  the  ground  floor  and  basement  at  328 
Boylston  Street  were  rented.  This  was  a  thrilling 
moment  for  the  women.  Right  in  the  midst  of  the 
city's  business  interests,  on  an  attractive  corner  of  an 
attractive  street,  they  were  to  open  a  place  which  in 
every  detail  should  manifest  to  the  world  just  how 
Christian  Science  is  operative  in  human  affairs.  Still 
mindful  of  the  object  for  which  they  were  working, 
they  could  make  the  scene  of  their  activities  a  glad- 
some spot  to  the  heavily  burdened  business  men,  to 
the  sobered  women  shoppers,  to  the  workers  in  other 

252 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

relief  organizations  and  even  to  the  students,  all  of 
whom  were  passing  it  in  hundreds  every  day. 

To  begin  with,  the  windows  must  be  indicative  of 
the  spirit  within.  They  must  tell  the  passer-by  not, 
primarily,  what  garments  were  being  fashioned,  but 
what  qualities  of  thought  were  multiplying  for  the 
encouragement  of  the  soldier  and  the  solace  of  the 
refugee.  They  must  talk  of  life  itself,  speak  forth 
comfort,  warmth  and  affluence.  One  window,  lined 
with  yellow,  displaying  every  kind  of  knitted  wear  in 
blue,  gray  and  khaki,  and  piled  up  high  with  bales  of 
wool,  was  in  itself  an  invitation  to  the  uniformed  men 
to  bask  in  its  sunshine;  and  when  one  side  was  hung 
with  gay  colored  comfort  bags,  the  contents — a  veri- 
table Christmas  tree — spilled  out  in  front  of  them, 
while  on  the  other  side  were  sewing  kits,  so  complete 
yet  so  compact,  was  it  any  wonder  that  the  blue  and 
khaki  boys  gathered  there  to  smile,  and  felt  that  there 
would  be  some  moments  of  almost  play,  while  defend- 
ing the  flags  that  crowned  the  window? 

Perhaps  it  was  that  pretty  pink  bag  in  the  corner, 
flaunting  its  abundance  of  gay  roses,  that  called  forth 
from  the  recipient  this  jolly  letter: 

"Dear  Friend  Someone:  I  was  very  much  pleased  to  get 
a  fine  comfort  kit  from  you  yesterday.  It  certainly  had  the 
comforts.  A  little  bit  of  a  bag  of  buttons,  that  was  really 
what  I  most  needed.  Oh,  there  were  lots  of  buttons  in  it,  but 
it  looked  so  tiny  and  stuffy  I  had  to  laugh.  .  .  .  The  pins, 
the  thread,  the  kerchiefs,  soap,  both  shaving  and  hand, 
talcum  powder,  laces,  oh,  I  can't  think  what  all  was  there. 
And  everything  just  fits  me.  I  know  I  won't  need  any  more 
shaving  soap  for  a  long  time,  for  my  beard  doesn't  grow  fast. 
You  know  we're  not  any  of  us  very  old  men.  I  never  think 
how  old  I  am;  just  keep  feeling  glad  at  how  young  I  feel. 

253 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Perhaps  my  feelings  are  the  only  thing  that  doesn't  belong 
to  Uncle  Sam,  yet  I  feel  contented,  like  my  work,  and  study 
and  try  to  get  ahead.  Isn't  that  the  way  to  do?  Don't  you 
admire  the  paragraphing  in  this  note?  I  think  it's  fine.  But 
you  know  we  mustn't  waste  even  paper.  Will  someone  waste 
a  post  card  on  me,  or — never  mind,  I'm  satisfied  with  what 
I  have.  Thanks  a  whole  lot." 

Of  course  if  you  were  a  man  in  the  service  you 
peeked  through  the  window  to  see  what  was  going  on 
beyond  it ;  and  you  caught  a  glimpse  of  smiling  women 
behind  a  counter,  selling  yarn  and  yarn  and  still  more 
yarn  to  the  women  in  front.  Then  you  couldn't  help 
walking  in,  for  somehow  everything  seemed  to  talk 
to  you  of  the  things  you  wanted  said,  and  a  warm 
welcome  was  sung  into  your  very  soul.  On  entering, 
you  found  a  bunch  of  boys  trying  on  sweaters  and 
helmets  and  wristers,  expressing  their  desires  like 
little  children  in  a  toy  shop,  and  receiving  them 
without  stint;  even,  as  one  boy  exclaimed,  without 
being  asked  what  church  they  belonged  to.  If  you 
looked  beyond  that  pile  of  knitted  wear  which  seemed 
to  envelop  you,  your  eyes  rested  upon  a  group  of 
young  girls  who  belonged  to  no  unit,  but  who  spent 
their  spare  moments  making  and  filling  comfort  bags, 
sewing  on  labels,  etc. ;  and  then  your  gaze  was  drawn 
irresistibly  over  the  intervening  space,  filled  with 
desks  for  the  clerical  part  of  the  movement,  to  a  plat- 
form where  the  knitting  machines  were  running  to  full 
capacity,  and  socks,  those  "Christian  Science  socks," 
as  the  boys  called  them,  because  they  were  "so  soft," 
and  "didn't  shrink,"  were  issuing  in  hundreds. 

But  not  all  of  you  were  men;  some  of  you  were 
women,  and  therefore  after  looking  over  the  knitted 
wear  to  "get  ideas,"  you  stepped  to  the  window  be- 

254 


DISTR1 BUTION   GRATUITE 

DE 

C^ristiap  Scietjce 

par  les  soins  de  Mme  RINGUIER,  5,  Rue  Mariolle 


Le  COMITE  LYON-SAINT-QUENTIN  a  rc$u.  en  trois  jours,  26,27,28  Mai 
2242  inscriptions  iic  Fantillos,  re prescntant  environ  tO.OOO  peraonnes. 
Les  2242  fiches  num6rot6es  out  etc.  remises  a  Madame  Ringuier,  le  Jeudi 
29  Mai,  au  moment  oil  elle  achevait  I'inveniaire  des  caisses  attributes  a  Saint- 
Quentin-Ville,  lequel  totalisait  13.233  OBJETS.  La  distribution  aura  lieu 
par  serie  de   2O0,    tlu    16    au    27    JUIN. 


beam p  de  vrieuienls  poor  MicUcs, 


ion  des  paquets  etam  en  b  nine  mi 
distribution  it-  l.uuili  10  Jn 

■  urs.  de  4  liiuii  s  a  <i  ll.  I    2  \m 

-  la  bousculwJe,  nous  dislribuerons 
or.   Comme  les  paquets  prepares 


//  ressort  de  ces  ohlffros  que  nous  dovrons 
"  charger  "  les  BONS  sur  losquels  it  y  a  dos 
fitlettes,  on  reduisant  la  part  dos  papas  et 
mamans,  pour  confectlonner  les  paquets  dos 
lamiltes  ou  it  n'y  a  pas  de  tillettes. 


npiles  les  un,  sur 


l>As>  m:  no l 'sc.i  l.tlii:  (i>r<-u<u-c  la 


Ordre  de  la  Distribution  par  Series  de  200 


do  4  h.  a  6  h.  I  2 


cntainc  de   MAI.Mtlol  ES 


L/VYETTES,  qui  seront  dismbu 
naissances  i  la  Materniie  de  llloiel-1 


les  ga 


.que  nous  devons 
ICC,  -  queM-K 


de,     | 


Tous  les  jt 

Lund 
Hard 

17 

.liiin 
Juiu 

Merc 

eili     IS 

Juin 

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A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

yond;  and  after  exclaiming  over  the  Carbone  vase 
with  its  pussy  willows,  or  wondering  how  wild  ferns 
and  violets  and  lady's-slippers  happened  to  grow  in 
a  window,  you  settled  down  to  an  exhaustive  survey 
of  the  attractive  garments  before  you.  What  a  lay- 
ette,— with  its  thirty-six  pieces,  so  very  white,  so 
sensible,  so  complete!  What  unwelcome  baby,  what 
stricken  mother,  would  be  comforted  and  encouraged 
by  that?  Those  little  shirts,  made  so  deftly  from 
adults'  garments  that  one  hardly  suspected  their 
origin;  those  warm  yet  dainty  bootees  in  pink  and 
white  and  blue ;  the  baby  bonnets  crocheted  of  softest 
wool;  surely  it  was  not  hard  routine,  but  warm, 
inspired  love  that  fashioned  these.  The  baby  blan- 
kets and  little  jackets  lay  just  beyond,  but  your 
practical  mind  was  already  contemplating  the  gar- 
ments on  the  right,  complete  outfits  for  both  winter 
and  summer  wear,  for  girls  from  two  to  fourteen  years 
of  age ;  the  undergarments  all  so  new  and  strong  and 
durable;  the  dresses  simple  in  design  and  serviceable. 
A  belt,  a  pocket,  a  bit  of  braid  or  embroidery,  how- 
ever, lifted  them  into  the  realm  of  the  custom-made, 
and  gave  evidence  of  the  loving  thought  of  the  makers. 
Then,  too,  there  were  outfits  for  boys  between  the 
ages  of  six  and  twelve;  blouses  that  looked  a  bit  ex- 
pensive for  the  times,  because  there  was  nothing  to 
reveal  the  fact  that  they  had  been  made  from  some 
man's  choicest  shirts  which  had  become  worn  at  the 
neck.  How  diminutive,  too,  were  those  little  trousers, 
especially  when  one  thought  of  the  castaway  garments 
from  which  they  were  cut.  But  they  were  not  all 
"made-overs."  Those  smart  suits  of  blue  denim,  for 
instance;  who  could  have  designed  them?  And,  oh, 
those  policemen's  and  firemen's  uniforms,  children's 

255 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

size,  made  just  to  send  a  thrill  through  the  hearts 
of  the  little  boys  who  should  wear  them!  You 
were  wondering  why  there  was  such  a  lack  of  color, 
as  your  eyes  fell  upon  a  pile  of  black  sateen  ties  for 
the  girls,  all  so  carefully  made,  so  neatly  pressed 
and  folded,  and  for  a  moment  you  thought  only  of 
mourning.  Upon  inquiry,  however,  you  learned  that 
the  children  in  France  had  always  worn  that  kind; 
that  bright  colors,  especially  red,  were  to  them  the 
insignia  of  the  devil,  and  therefore  to  be  avoided.  You 
couldn't  wait  to  look  at  the  garments  for  older  girls 
(there  were  none  for  older  boys — they  were  all  in 
uniform)  and  for  the  mothers;  you  only  glanced  at 
the  pajamas  and  the  gray  and  pink  day  shirts  for  the 
men  in  the  hospitals.  You,  too,  must  get  behind  that 
attractive  window,  to  see  what  was  going  on  inside. 
Being  a  woman,  you  instantly  exclaimed,  "What 
order;  what  neatness!"  There  were  samples  of  every 
garment  being  made,  with  women  to  tell  you  all  about 
them.  Cut  garments,  all  in  their  proper  places,  stood 
ready  to  be  sold  to  the  units.  One  shelf  made  you 
think  of  those  wonderful  gardens  at  Bellaggio,  all 
roses  and  wistaria  and  azaleas,  and  you  couldn't  think 
what  it  contained,  until  the  fascinating  cretonnes  were 
shaken  out  before  you,  to  make  your  choice  for  com- 
fort bags.  Beyond,  a  unit  was  holding  its  weekly  meet- 
ing, and  fingers  were  flying,  machines  singing,  while 
women  were  discussing,  and  showing  each  other,  the 
quickest  and  neatest  way  to  finish  a  collar  or  put  in  a 
sleeve. 

"Oh,  you  are  so  clean  here,  so  orderly,"  exclaimed 
the  head  of  another  relief  organization.  "How  do  you 
doit?" 

256 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

"You  seem  to  be  able  to  count  upon  your  workers. 
Some  days  we  have  seventy-five,  and  some  days  only 
three,"  was  the  comment  of  the  manager  of  a  neigh- 
boring committee. 

"Yes,  we  are  well  organized,  our  work  is  systema- 
tized, and  the  true  Christian  Scientist  means  to  fulfill 
his  responsibilities." 

It  was  that  cheerful  response  to  the  call  for  help 
that  placed  in  the  basement  a  splendid  corps  of  work- 
ers, where  all  garments,  both  new  and  secondhand, 
were  assorted  and  packed  in  great  cases  for  shipping. 
It  was  not  the  easiest  part  of  the  work,  or  the  most 
decorative,  but  the  same  neatness  and  exactness  were 
demanded;  and  the  murmur  of  happy  voices  punc- 
tuated with  occasional  ripples  of  laughter,  which 
reached  the  workers  on  the  floor  above,  gave  evidence 
of  the  joy  below.  What  a  happy  sense  of  cooperation 
it  all  gave  rise  to. 

This  cooperation,  however,  was  not  limited  to 
Greater  Boston.  Hardly  had  the  work  there  taken 
definite  form,  before  Scientists  all  over  the  country, 
from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  from  Hawaii  and  the  Canal 
Zone  to  Alaska,  expressed  a  desire  to  share  in  it,  and 
were  gladly  hailed  as  allies.  One  group  after  another 
joined  the  happy  throng,  until  there  were  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-nine.  There  was  no  stereotyped 
method  of  organization.  The  units  varied  in  size,  some 
meeting  in  private  houses,  while  others  preferred 
public  workrooms.  In  some  of  the  larger  cities  a 
number  of  such  rooms  were  opened,  in  different 
localities,  all  uniting  in  general  headquarters  for 
receiving  and  distributing  the  garments.  Varying 
methods  were  employed,  too,  for  the  raising  of  funds, 
some  preferring  per  capita  assessments,  others  de- 

257 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

pending  upon  voluntary  contributions.  Nor  was  the 
work  confined  to  the  regulation  garments.  Each  com- 
mittee used  its  ingenuity  in  supplying  the  unexpected. 
One,  for  instance,  made  some  rag  dolls,  "pretty 
enough  to  bring  a  ray  of  joy  to  the  heart  of  the  most 
saddened  child,"  for  the  little  ones  in  France  and 
Belgium,  and  received  in  return  the  following  letter: 

"To  the  Secretary  of  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Com- 
mittee :  Thank  you  so  much  for  the  darling  rag  dolls ;  they 
will  bring  joy  to  many  little  French  kiddies  on  Christmas 
morning,  when  they  will  know  that  the  good  American  Santa 
Claus  sent  his  message  of  love. 

"Tell  all  of  your  workers  that  they  are  doing  an  immense 
amount  of  good  by  making  these  toys  for  the  children  of 
stricken  France.  We  must  not  forget  that  it  is  as  important 
to  support  the  morale  of  the  civilians  and  the  soldiers,  as  to 
care  for  their  physical  needs.  The  little  children  must  have 
toys,  as  the  soldiers  must  have  letters,  to  soothe  a  present 
pain,  and  to  reveal  a  future  of  hope. 

"We  must,  in  so  far  as  it  is  possible,  dispel  from  the  minds 
of  the  children  of  France,  the  horror  and  suffering  of  this 
war,  for  France's  great  hope  lies  in  her  little  ones. 

"On  behalf  of  our  Committee,  and  on  behalf  of  the  children 
of  France,  I  thank  you  and  all  who  have  so  generously  helped 
in  the  making  of  this  precious  gift. 

"I  am,  very  truly  yours," 

(Signed  by  the  Secretary,  American  Fund   for  French 
Wounded.) 

One  Committee  gave  to  a  base  hospital  unit,  leaving 
for  Italy,  thirty  beautiful  rag  rugs  for  their  own  use, 
besides  supplying  each  of  the  two  hundred  men  with 
a  good  pocket  knife,  in  a  leather  case,  each  bearing  the 
name  of  the  Committee  in  gold. 

258 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

One  day  the  window  at  the  headquarters  in  Boston 
assumed  an  entirely  new  aspect.  From  a  distance  it 
looked  like  flag  day,  but  closer  inspection  revealed  the 
most  wonderful  collection  of  picture  books,  made  by 
children  for  their  little  friends  on  the  other  side. 
Only  childhood's  genuine  humor,  its  love  of  color,  of 
the  mysterious,  could  have  made  such  a  splendid 
choice  of  pictures ;  and  only  unstudied  art  could  have 
arranged  them  so  artistically.  It  was  not  strange  that 
a  passer-by  stepped  in  to  see  if  any  could  be  bought. 

Several  of  the  committees  exercised  their  ingenuity 
in  making  slumber  robes.  The  soft  gray  and  white 
ones,  brightened  bj^  a  bit  of  pink  or  blue,  plainly  were 
for  the  little  tots.  Then  came  larger  ones,  made  of 
tailors'  samples  and  warmly  lined,  for  the  comfort  of 
the  men  in  the  hospitals.  Sometimes  they  contained 
surprise  pockets,  with  a  cheering  word  tucked  in  for 
the  man  who  was  clever  enough  to  find  it.  One  veri- 
table novelty  was  a  slumber  robe  made  of  pennants — 
an  inexhaustible  source  of  amusement  to  the  boys  in 
one  of  the  convalescent  hospitals.  What  trip  could 
one  not  take  traveling  under  so  many  flags!  So 
great  was  the  demand  for  this  robe  in  the  hospital  that 
it  was  generally  engaged  in  advance  for  the  following 
day,  and  to  keep  it  only  half  of  one's  allotted  time  and 
then  pass  it  on  to  another,  was  plainly  one  of  the 
sacrifices  of  the  war. 

Two  demands  only  were  made  of  every  unit:  that 
the  staple  garments  conform  to  the  rules  sent  out 
from  headquarters,  rules  which  had  been  obtained 
from  those  cognizant  of  the  methods  and  customs  in 
the  various  countries  to  which  the  clothes  were  to  be 
sent;  and  that  all  work  press  toward  perfection.  At 
times  there  came  the  temptation  to  show  our  sisters 

259 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

across  the  seas  a  more  comely  way  of  dressing  them- 
selves, especially  in  these  days  of  silhouettes,  to  say 
nothing  of  a  simpler  way  to  dress  their  pillows.  Their 
pillow-cases  were  far  too  complicated  for  the  practical 
American  mind.  It  was  a  little  difficult,  too,  always 
to  remember  that  the  French  and  British  hospitals 
had  never  agreed  as  to  whether  hospital  garments 
should  be  made  with  the  seams  inside  or  out.  However, 
one  fact  was  clearly  recognized,  that  love  meets  the 
other  man's  need  as  it  is,  and  not  as  someone  thinks 
it  ought  to  be.  Meanwhile  the  thousands  of  sewers 
were  gradually  giving  up  their  fixed  habits,  prac- 
ticing patience  by  cheerfully  ripping  and  sewing  a 
second  time,  or  even  a  third,  if  necessary  to  the  send- 
ing out  of  a  model  garment;  and  learning  to  finish 
their  small,  even  stitches  with  thread  securely  fastened. 
It  was  this  effort  to  do  their  best  which  resulted  in 
the  query  from  another  relief  organization  handling 
their  goods: 

"Are  all  your  workers  trained  sewers?" 

"No." 

"Then  how  do  you  account  for  your  work  being  so 
exceptional?  I  had  always  thought  that  Christian 
Science  was  an  idealistic  religion." 

"So  it  is, — a  practical  idealism;  a  religion  which 
governs  every  act  of  our  lives  even  to  the  sewing  on 
of  buttons.  There  is  a  perfect  standard  of  sewing,  and 
Christian  Scientists  having  that  before  them  when 
making  these  garments,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God." 

Yes,  to  the  glory  of  God,  to  the  glory  of  One  whose 
standard  is  perfection,  but  whose  infinitude  admits 
of  variety  of  expression.  Love  paints  the  petals,  but 
never  two  exactly  alike ;  and  it  was  the  same  love  that 
tipped  the  "Christian  Science  socks"  with  so  many 

260 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

pretty  bits  of  color,  that  gave  individual  designs  to 
scarfs,  and  thought  out  numberless  attractive  ways  of 
ornamenting  sweaters,  even  to  the  weaving  of  U.  S.  A. 
across  the  front.  It  was  the  same  love  that  slipped  a 
pretty  hair  ribbon,  or  daintily  bordered  handkerchief 
into  the  pocket  of  a  child's  dress;  that  made  all  the 
infant  clothes,  and  thousands  of  handkerchiefs  for  the 
men,  by  hand,  in  order  to  avoid  the  harshness  of 
machine  work. 

Unpacking  the  cases  of  goods  that  came  in  daily 
certainly  had  its  joys  and  its  surprises,  for  the  whole 
field  felt  the  spirit  of  the  work,  with  results  that  ex- 
pressed not  deadening  labor,  but  living  activity.  And 
the  spirit  which  pervaded  the  groups  reached  even 
the  units  of  one — individuals  living  in  obscure  little 
hamlets.  Cut  materials  were  mailed  to  them,  and  the 
finished  garments  returned  in  the  same  way.  Thus 
space  was  annihilated,  and  the  most  isolated  Christian 
Scientist  felt  only  her  unity  with  the  whole  cause. 

Among  the  many  interesting  contributions  was 
that  of  some  Alaskan  Indians,  living  only  sixty-five 
miles  from  the  Arctic  Circle,  from  a  friend  of  whom 
came  the  following  letter: 

"Near  us  across  the  river  Yukon  is  a  small  mining  camp 
and  a  native  village.  As  the  Indian  women  were  anxious  to 
help  I  suggested  that  they  make  little  moccasins,  as  leather 
is  scarce  and  shoes  expensive.  Most  of  us  wear  moccasins 
here  in  winter,  and  many  wear  them  all  summer;  and  the 
little  people,  both  whites  and  natives,  wear  them.  So  the 
moccasins,  made  from  their  very  firmest  skins,  were  sent  in 
for  me  to  forward,  sixteen  pairs  in  all.  This  was  an  act  of 
love  and  generosity  that  I  must  mention,  as  most  of  these 
women  have  babies  of  their  own  and  are  extremely  busy,  and 
the  articles  made  from  their  moose  skins  and  sold  to  the 

261 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

whites,  constitute  a  big  part  of  their  living.  Nettie  Mayo 
Bergman,  for  instance,  had  a  tiny  baby,  another  only  a  }Tear 
old,  yet  she  donated  two  pairs  for  some  stricken  little  ones. 
Old  Grandma  Pitka,  who  speaks  no  English,  and  who  takes 
care  of  a  paralytic  husband  and  a  little  grandson,  sent  me 
word  that  no  one  had  asked  her  to  make  moccasins,  but  she 
wanted  to  help  if  it  was  not  too  late.  So  her  donation  is  with 
the  others. 

"Always  the  Indians  have  had  things  given  to  them  and 
done  for  them,  and  I  never  saw  them  so  happy  as  they  are 
now,  learning  that  they  can  help  someone  else." 

With  the  moccasins  came  a  group  picture  of  the 
women  and  children  who  had  made  them.  After  both 
had  been  exhibited  in  the  window  of  the  Boston  head- 
quarters, the  moccasins  were  carefully  sewed  into  a 
box  and  forwarded,  with  the  photograph,  to  France. 

The  spontaneity  of  the  whole  field  again  neces- 
sitated larger  headquarters  in  Boston.  The  sales  de- 
partment, together  with  the  knitting  machines,  moved 
to  460  Boylston  Street,  while  one  whole  floor  of  a 
large  automobile  building  on  Beacon  Street  became 
the  wholesale  house  of  supply,  and  the  scene  of  great 
activity.  Despite  the  prevailing  scarcity  of  wool, 
sufficient  quantities  were  obtained  by  the  Comforts 
Forwarding  Committee  to  supply  not  only  the  work- 
ers in  the  immediate  vicinity,  but  to  answer  the  calls 
from  all  over  the  field.  Blankets  for  convalescent 
robes,  as  handsome  as  market  ever  produced,  were 
purchased,  and  sold  to  the  various  units  to  be  made. 
Countless  bolts  of  khaki  eider  down  were  bought  for 
the  making  of  sweater  vests,  "the  finest  garment  ever 
put  out  by  any  organization,"  according  to  some  of 
the  army  officers.  Indeed  the  quantity  of  materials 

262 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

required  often  necessitated  passing  over  the  whole- 
sale dealer  and  going  direct  to  the  manufacturer. 
Turkish  toweling  for  face  cloths  and  towels,  the 
finest  of  cheesecloth  for  handkerchiefs,  blue  and 
khaki  denim  for  dresses  and  boys'  suits,  were  piled 
high.  Ten  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  outing  flannel 
was  bought  at  one  time,  to  insure  both  quantity  and 
quality  at  a  time  when  the  market  seemed  doubtful. 
The  pink  and  blue  made  garments  for  the  children, 
the  lavender  and  white  striped  went  into  nightshirts 
for  the  boys,  while  the  gray  was  used  for  the  women. 
Despite  the  demand  for  all  materials,  the  sense  of 
lack  was  never  felt  here.  On  the  contrary  there  was 
such  a  prevailing  sense  of  abundance  that  the  feeling 
became  almost  universal  that  what  anybody  wanted 
could  be  found  at  the  Christian  Science  headquarters. 
That  the  branch  groups  all  over  the  country  were 
making  a  similar  demonstration  of  supply  was  evi- 
denced by  the  quantity  of  garments  turned  in. 

Hardly  could  equal  space  be  the  scene  of  more 
varied  activities  than  the  workroom  on  Beacon  Street. 
Through  the  courtesy  of  the  Hood  Rubber  Company, 
the  larger  garments  were  cut  by  machinery;  but 
the  parts  were  assembled  here — a  work  requiring 
strength,  speed  and  accuracy,  and  admitting  of  little 
friendly  chat.  The  smaller  garments  were  cut  here  by 
hand,  and  so  carefully  that,  after  skirts  for  girls  were 
cut,  the  pieces  left  were  made  into  children's  night- 
gowns. The  remnants  from  these  went  first  into  baby 
jackets,  then  hoods  and  finally  bootees.  Scraps  too 
small  to  cover  a  baby's  foot,  were  snipped  for  filling 
pillows — a  work  given  over,  in  some  cities,  to  the 
Sunday  school  children  that  they,  too,  might  have  a 
special  part  in  forwarding  comforts  for  our  boys. 

263 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Around  one  large  table  sat  a  group  of  women  sew- 
ing on  labels ;  those  around  the  table  in  the  corner  were 
filling  comfort  bags,  and  a  pleasant  time  they  were 
having  too.  Near  them  could  be  seen  a  group  of 
women  whose  quizzical  expressions  showed  at  once 
that  they  were  looking  over  the  secondhand  garments 
that  had  been  sent  in,  endeavoring  to  make  sure  that 
each  was  in  perfect  repair,  and  placed  where  it  would 
be  sent  to  the  country  most  needing  it.  Another  table 
was  covered  with  such  attractive,  harmonious  colors, 
one  wondered  what  it  was  going  to  contribute  to  the 
great  cause,  until  closer  inspection  revealed  that  the 
pieces  left  from  the  convalescent  robes  were  being 
converted  into  splendid  blankets  for  the  hospitals. 
That  activity  was  too  fascinating  to  be  called  work. 
One  almost  wished  it  were  possible  to  go  with  each 
blanket  to  see  what  joy  it  carried  to  the  boys  needing 
the  joy.  What  could  those  women  be  doing,  with 
their  arms  going  steadily  round  and  round?  Winding 
thread  for  the  sewing  kits.  Another  attractive  table, 
well  worth  a  call,  was  covered  with  slippers,  in  various 
stages  of  making;  sometimes  matching  the  convales- 
cent robes;  sometimes  made  of  velours,  bound  and 
lined  with  contrasting  colors  to  satisfy  the  love  of  the 
artistic. 

In  the  midst  of  these  more  quiet  activities,  the  big 
freight  elevator  announced  the  arrival  of  more  cases. 
"What  has  California  sent  this  time?'* 
"This  one  is  from  Ohio;  do  open  it  at  once." 
"Have  you  seen  the  dresses  that  came  yesterday 
from  Minnesota?" 

"No,  but  I  was  here  Tuesday  and  saw  the  boys' 
outfits  that  Michigan  sent  in." 

264 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

No  longer  was  there  any  "here"  and  "there." 
Every  group  seemed  just  across  the  hall,  and  the 
various  labels  bearing  the  names  of  the  cities  they 
represented  were  simply  greetings  from  the  various 
members  of  the  family.  Love  unifies,  and  cooperation 
is  the  manifestation  of  love.  Healings  of  estrange- 
ment were  rapidly  being  consummated  through  this 
united  work  for  their  far-away  brothers  and  their 
sisters.  That  the  blessing  of  this  sense  of  unity  fell  not 
only  upon  the  workers  themselves,  but  was  felt  by  the 
recipients  of  the  garments,  is  shown  by  the  following 
letters : 

"Dear  Friends:  Upon  examining  my  outfit,  recently  re- 
ceived from  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee,  Christian 
Scientists,  Boston,  I  was  surprised  to  find  that  it  contained 
articles  furnished  by  workers  in  each  of  the  following  places : 
Boston,  Massachusetts ;  Lima,  Ohio ;  Minneapolis,  Minne- 
sota; St.  Louis,  Missouri;  Denver,  Colorado;  Cedar  Rapids, 
Iowa. 

"This  seemed  such  a  striking  tribute  to  the  universal 
nature  of  the  work  being  done,  as  well  as  to  the  spirit  of 
cooperation  which  was  uniting  the  workers,  that  I  felt  com- 
pelled to  send  a  note  of  thanks  to  each  of  those  who  had 
contributed,  and  to  assure  them  that  each  one  who  receives 
the  benefit  of  this  work  is  being  inspired  in  the  duty  of 
'making  his  own  gift  a  higher  tribute  to  the  Most  High'  " 
(Science  and  Health,  page  541). 

"A  few  days  ago  I  received  a  Comfort  Package  from  your 
Committee.  It  is  useless  for  me  to  attempt  to  express  in 
writing,  or  by  any  other  means,  my  feelings  upon  opening 
this  package  and  seeing  its  contents, — so  many  things  useful 
to  a  soldier. 

"I  can  tell  you,  though,  that  since  the  day  it  came,  a  new 
feeling  in  regard  to  going  'over  the  top'  has  come  over  me. 
The  drills  are  easier,  the  hikes  are  easier,  and  I  am  much 

265 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

more  contented  to  take  the  little  knocks  and  bumps  that  a 
fellow  has  to  put  up  with  in  the  course  of  training,  and  which 
are  just  the  things  that  make  a  man  discouraged  unless  some- 
one shows  some  interest  in  his  welfare  and  comfort. 

"In  a  short  time,  no  one  knows  how  soon,  I  expect  to  be 
in  France.  The  quicker  the  better,  for  I  am  very  anxious ; 
and  as  I  go,  and  while  I  am  there,  I  shall  make  use  of  the 
wonderful  things  which  you  good  people  have  sent  me.  I  can 
assure  you  that  as  I  go  'over  the  top'  my  heart  will  be  full  of 
pride,  and  thankful  to  God,  that  I  am  of,  and  fighting  for,  a 
nation  made  up  of  such  great  and  wonderfully  good  people. 

"I  believe  that  for  you  good  people  to  realize  to  the  full 
extent  the  greatness  of  the  work  you  are  doing,  and  the  good 
that  will  come  of  it,  both  during  and  after  this  war,  is  im- 
possible; but  we  soldiers  do,  and  you  can  rest  assured  that 
we  wont  forget  you. 

"All  the  lads  in  my  company  having  seen  my  package  want 
me  to  say  'Hello'  and  'Good  luck'  to  you  all. 

"With  the  most  sincere  thanks." 

There  were  two  phases  of  the  Comforts  Forward- 
ing work,  quite  distinct  although  indissolubly  con- 
nected: the  making  and  assembling  of  the  garments, 
and  their  distribution.  Several  methods  for  giving  out 
the  garments  were  used.  Quite  a  proportion  of  the 
knitted  wear  went  directly  from  the  various  Com- 
mittees to  the  individual  soldiers  and  sailors  applying 
for  it.  This  personal  contact  was  a  happy  part  of  the 
activity  to  the  Committees  and  the  recipients.  The 
men  already  interested  in  Christian  Science  enjoyed 
their  visits  to  the  various  Committee  rooms;  for  the 
love  expressed  there  helped  them  to  feel  that  the  whole 
body  of  Scientists  stood  closely  behind  them.  A  sur- 
prise, a  wholly  new  experience,  awaited,  however, 
those  who  had  never  before  come  in  immediate  contact 
with  Christian  Science.  Men  had  only  to  go  to  a  Com- 

266 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

forts  Forwarding  Room  to  find  quickly  the  warm 
garments  they  so  much  needed.  Neither  creed,  color 
nor  nationality  interfered,  if  they  were  wearing  the 
uniform  of  the  United  States.  This  made  no  slight 
impression  upon  the  men.  To  go  from  the  freedom  of 
one's  own  fireside,  from  the  solicitous  care  of  parents 
or  wife,  to  the  discipline  and  impersonal  status  of  mili- 
tary life,  was  often  the  first  battle  to  be  won.  As  one 
boy  expressed  it,  "One's  feelings  are  the  only  thing 
that  doesn't  belong  to  Uncle  Sam,"  and  those  feelings 
were  consequently  the  more  sensitive,  the  more  easily 
hurt,  the  more  easily  gladdened.  To  go,  therefore, 
where  a  man  was  asked  only  his  name  and  place  in  the 
service,  where  he  was  greeted  as  a  personal  friend, 
where  he  could  try  on  garments  and  make  his  own  se- 
lection; where  the  word  of  encouragement,  and  even 
of  confidence,  was  never  lacking,  does  one  believe  that 
one  of  those  boys  will  ever  forget  the  experience  ? 

It  was  a  sailor  boy  who  stood,  one  Saturday  morn- 
ing, reading  the  sign,  "Comforts  Forwarding  Com- 
mittee." At  first  it  seemed  to  mean  nothing  to  him; 
but  surely,  if  slowly,  its  promise  and  appeal  worked 
its  way  through  the  shell-shocked,  gassed  and  horror- 
stricken  mind,  to  the  inner  consciousness,  where  it  met 
a  response.  He  crossed  the  street,  opened  the  door  and 
walked  in.  The  steady  rays  of  unchanging  love  sur- 
rounded him.  Little  by  little  his  petrified  thought 
relaxed;  little  by  little,  stuttering,  gasping,  sighing, 
his  story  came  forth;  and  when  the  effort  to  speak 
became  too  great,  he  finished  the  tale  in  writing.  After 
more  than  a  year  of  service  in  the  army  "over  there," 
after  going  over  the  top  and  experiencing  the  full 
import  of  those  words,  what  was  left  of  the  once  stal- 
wart lad  had  been  sent  back  to  his  Texas  home.  But 

267 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

no  home  awaited  him.  His  widowed  mother,  having 
married  again,  had  closed  her  heart  and  her  house  to 
the  shattered  hero.  Turned  from  her  door,  he  came  to 
Uncle  Sam,  to  offer  such  service  as  he  could  then 
render  in  the  merchant  marine. 

Seated  in  a  sheltered  corner  of  the  Comforts  For- 
warding Room,  the  homeless  one  was  gently  led  to 
relax,  and  confidently  rest  in  the  mother  love  there 
shown  him.  Was  there  no  church  to  help  him? 

"Oh,  mercy,  no,  I  never  went  to  church;  but  my 
people  are  Protestants." 

"How  did  you  happen  to  come  in  here?" 
"I  don't  know.  I  was  across  the  street." 
"I  know ;  it  was  because  we  can  help  you." 
"That  is  impossible.  (A  sigh.)  I  am  so  lonesome." 
"If  you  stay  in  this  city  we  will  give  you  something 
to  do." 

"I  wish  I  could  do  something  for  you." 
The  conversation  closed  with  the  gift  of  a  Sentinel, 
a  pamphlet  and  an  invitation  to  come  again  Monday 
morning. 

At  nine  o'clock  there  stood  the  boy,  happy,  whis- 
tling. 

"I  went  to  your  church  yesterday;  ain't  it  fine!" 
No  mention  of  the  church  had  hitherto  been  made 
to  him,  but  he  had  found  a  notice  of  it  in  the  Sentinel, 
and  even  the  pouring  rain  could  not  keep  him  from  its 
doors.  His  happy  visits  to  the  Comforts  Forwarding 
Rooms  continued,  until  his  ship  put  out  to  sea ;  and  it 
was  a  very  different  boy  who  said,  "Good-bye;  I  shall 
come  to  see  you  on  my  return." 

One  day  a  little  Italian  woman  appeared  at  a  dis- 
tributing headquarters.  "My  boy  in  France;  he  cold; 
he  say  boys  all  around  him  nice  and  warm;  they  tell 

268 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

him  this  place ;  he  say  don't  go  any  other  place,  come 
here  and  get  him  nice  things,  too." 

In  her  eager,  trembling  hand  was  the  loved  son's 
letter.  "Leave  it  with  us  that  we  may  have  his  address, 
and  we  will  see  that  he  gets  all  that  he  wants." 

Will  that  mother  ever  forget? 

Two  happy,  but  poorly  clad,  sailors  walked  con- 
fidently in.  Could  they  have  something  to  keep  them 
warm?  Of  course  they  could;  all  they  needed.  Who 
had  sent  them  there?  The  policeman  at  the  corner 
of  First  and  Second  Streets ;  he  said  that  was  the  place 
to  go  to. 

A  little  later  it  was  a  dear  yOung  boy  in  khaki  who 
entered.  "I  have  a  brother  in  France;  I  have  just 
received  a  letter  from  him.  He  says  he  got  his  sweater 
here,  and  tells  me  to  come  here  for  mine,  and  to  be 
sure  to  get  a  pamphlet.  Perhaps  you  wouldn't  give 
me  these  things  if  you  knew.  This  isn't  our  religion; 
we're  not  saying  much  about  it  to  the  folks  at  home." 

One  cheerful  summer  morning  the  sun  on  the 
gilded  sign,  and  the  open  door,  brought  in  a  crazed, 
nigh  insane  man. 

"What  comfort  can  you  give  me?  Tell  me  that!  My 
first  son  was  killed,  and  now  my  second  is  dead,  too. 
Already  I've  had  six  drinks  of  whiskey.  What  com- 
fort can  you  give  me?" 

Instantly  every  woman  present  remembered  that 
Life  is  eternal,  as  one  of  them  said. 

"How  do  you  know  it?"  he  inquired. 

"Because  God  is  Life." 

"How  do  you  know  that?" 

"We  have  proven  it." 

"Say  it  again." 

"God  is  Life,  and  therefore  Life  is  eternal." 

269 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

A  moment's  stillness,  a  silent  prayer,  a  few  more 
words  of  comfort,  and  a  quiet,  thoughtful  man  went 
out  upon  the  street  with  the  truth  for  his  companion. 

The  address  of  a  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee 
was  left  by  a  War  Relief  Worker  at  the  Custom 
House,  together  with  the  assurance  that  any  needy 
one  would  there  find  help.  The  interested  yeowoman 
put  the  card  on  file.  Several  months  later  a  young 
enlisted  seaman  told  her  his  story.  He  had  been  or- 
dered for  duty  on  one  of  the  Canadian  drifters,  so- 
called — a  fleet  of  patrol  boats,  dirty,  cramped,  re- 
pelling. He  would  be  stationed  in  icy  waters  for  six 
months.  His  aunt  had  expected  to  meet  him  with  a 
package  from  the  Red  Cross,  but  had  been  unable 
to  get  a  sweater  or  other  articles,  and  he  must  sail 
without  them.  With  joy  the  yeowoman  recalled  the 
card  on  file,  and  the  boy  appeared  without  delay  at 
the  distributing  rooms.  After  a  brief  but  heart-to- 
heart  talk  with  the  woman  in  charge,  the  boy  went 
out,  carrying  with  him  not  only  a  good  supply  of 
knitted  wear,  but  also  an  illuminating  pamphlet.  The 
following  day  three  of  his  comrades  appeared,  asking, 
first  of  all,  for  pamphlets,  and  specifying  that  they 
be  different  from  the  one  given  yesterday's  boy.  This 
group  was  quickly  followed  by  another,  until  more 
than  thirty  of  the  officers  and  men,  all  of  them  fellows 
of  the  finer  type  but  most  unhappily  placed,  were 
supplied  with  all  the  physical  and  mental  comforts 
the  Committee  had  to  offer.  Expressions  of  true 
appreciation  came  later  from  the  yeowoman  and  the 
boys ;  but  the  greatest  gratitude  was  felt  by  the  Scien- 
tists themselves;  not  only  were  they  supplied  with 
garments  that  it  was  a  pleasure  to  give  away,  but  of 
far  greater  import  was  the  fact  that  the  Comforter 

270 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

had  come,  the  Comforter  that  would  lead  these  boys 
into  the  truth  of  whatever  situation  awaited  them. 

How  true  were  the  words  of  a  big,  uncouth  enlisted 
lad,  who,  upon  leaving  the  Comforts  Forwarding 
Rooms,  said:  "There  are  some  things  that  money  can- 
not pay  for;  this  is  one  of  the  times.  I  haven't  much, 
and  when  I  get  in  the  army  I  shall  probably  have 
less,  but  I  want  to  leave  this,"  and  he  laid  down  two 
dollars  as  his  offering. 

Another  boy,  wishing  to  pay  for  a  sweater,  was 
told  it  was  a  gift. 

"But,"  he  said,  "things  cost." 

"These  are  given." 

"But  they  cost  something." 

"I  cannot  take  anything  for  them." 

"Well,  if  I  leave  something  on  the  table  you  can't 
say  anything;"  and  suddenly  dropping  a  five  dollar 
bill,  he  vanished  through  the  door. 

Garfield  once  said  that  whenever  he  saw  a  young 
boy  he  felt  like  taking  off  his  hat  to  him,  because  he 
never  knew  what  might  be  buttoned  up  under  his 
coat.  How  many  feel  that  way  today.  The  boy  has 
made  for  himself  a  new  place  in  history,  and  perhaps, 
too,  in  the  hearts  of  all  mankind. 

Another  source  of  distribution  was,  as  has  already 
been  mentioned,  through  other  relief  organizations, 
and  for  this  opportunity  of  showing  to  those  who 
hitherto  had  known  nothing  of  us,  or  were,  perhaps, 
antagonistic,  what  our  religion  really  teaches  us  to  do 
and  to  be,  we  have  every  reason  to  be  grateful.  How 
many  prejudices  were  broken  down,  how  many  bitter 
feelings  sweetened,  how  much  of  ignorance  dissolved 
and  replaced  by  intelligent,  sympathetic  understand- 
ing, we  shall  never  know.  Often  and  often  came  the 

271 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

assurance  that  a  wholly  new  concept  of  Christian  Sci- 
ence was  being  formed. 

It  is  the  splendid  work  of  the  Minute  Man  Com- 
mittee of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  to 
stand  at  the  point  of  readiness  to  render  any  needed 
help.  No  avoidable  delays  are  incident  to  its  charity. 
When  the  Halifax  disaster  occurred,  the  Minute  Man 
Committee  was  electric  in  its  response;  when  the  sol- 
diers at  a  Massachusetts  training  camp  were  ordered 
to  march  before  being  supplied  by  the  Government 
with  suitable  shoes,  it  was  the  Minute  Man  Committee 
that  provided  them.  The  spirit  of  this  organization 
was  the  spirit  of  the  Christian  Scientists,  and  there- 
fore it  was  a  pleasure  to  the  Comforts  Forwarding 
Committee  to  respond  many  times  to  calls  for  assist- 
ance from  the  brother  organization.  The  following 
letter  is  self-explanatory: 

"At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  held 
on  Wednesday,  May  1,  1918,  the  following  vote  was  passed: 

"  'Voted:  that  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  and  the  same 
are  hereby  extended  to  the  Christian  Science  Church  of 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  for  their  very  generous  assistance 
in  the  contribution  of  money  and  goods  to  the  work  of  the 
1917  Minute  Man  Committee  during  the  past  year.' 

"A  formal  review  in  detail  of  your  assistance  was  made 
to  the  Board,  and  the  expressions  of  appreciation  were  so 
hearty  for  your  generosity  that  no  formal  vote  can  express 
the  sentiment  of  the  Board  extended  to  you.  I  beg  leave, 
therefore,  to  add  the  expression  hereby  extended  in  addition 
to  the  formal  action  of  the  Board. 

"Very  truly  yours," 
(Signed  by  the  Secretary.) 

272 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

One  case  of  goods,  sent  out  from  the  rooms  in 
Boston  but  representing  many  parts  of  the  field, 
called  forth  the  following  remarks  between  the  head 
of  the  organization  receiving  them,  and  an  assistant: 

"Comforts  Forwarding  Committee — what  a  sym- 
bolic name!" 

"Who  are  they?" 

"The  Christian  Scientists;  and  their  garments  are 
so  well  made,  so  carefully  pressed  and  so  exactly 
folded  and  packed,  they  are  a  comfort  to  the  first 
person  who  handles  them,  and  the  comfort  is  for- 
warded." 

"Well,  I  shall  never  again  allow  anyone  in  my 
presence  to  say  a  single  word  against  them." 

Before  disbanding,  this  was  practically  the  attitude 
of  every  organization  handling  the  work.  Generosity, 
bigness  of  conception,  responsibility,  reliability  be- 
came indissolubly  connected  with  the  Scientists  as  a 
body,  in  the  minds  of  other  war  workers.  Nor  was 
this  all;  opportunities  for  doing  little  kindnesses  for 
other  organizations ;  helping  them  fill  some  order  too 
large  for  their  unaided  accomplishment ;  assisting  in 
the  establishment  of  some  organization  just  strug- 
gling into  existence,  by  a  loan,  a  gift,  or  a  friendly 
word  of  encouragement,  became  a  recognized  function. 
Yes,  the  Christian  Scientists  have  given  added  proof 
that  theirs  is  a  religion  of  love  in  the  little  as  well  as 
the  big  things,  and  they  have  made  friends,  not  in 
proprice  personce,  but  as  Scientists. 

A  third  important  method  of  distribution  was  in 
response  to  the  calls  that  came  direct  from  the  camps, 
hospitals,  embarkation  ports,  and  even  the  craft  about 
to  sail.  The  Massachusetts  War  Relief  Committee 
bulletin  of  July  18,  1918,  contains  this  report: 

273 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"A  supply  sergeant  of  a  company  which  was  to  leave  for 
France  in  a  few  days  came  to  one  of  our  Camp  Welfare 
Workers  in  much  distress,  because  he  had  found  that  the 
Red  Cross  supplies,  distributed  through  the  Camp  Quarter- 
master; had  run  short  and  he  was  in  pressing  need  of  a  large 
number  of  sweaters  and  socks.  Our  Worker  telephoned  to 
the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  (Christian  Scientists), 
Boston,  and  the  next  day  a  huge  box  containing  the  required 
fifty  sweaters  and  seventy-five  pairs  of  socks  arrived,  and 
was  delivered,  to  the  great  amazement  of  the  supply  sergeant. 
Needless  to  say  he  was  very  grateful.  All  the  men  who  have 
received  them  speak  of  the  superior  quality  and  softness  of 
the  'Christian  Science  socks.'  " 

This  was  an  activity  in  which  many  of  the  Com- 
mittees participated,  particularly  in  those  cities  near 
which  such  camps  were  located.  Thus  the  Comforts 
Forwarding  Rooms  throughout  the  country  formed  a 
chain  of  supply  houses,  or  "happiness  factories,"  as 
one  newspaper  called  them.  The  combined  material 
history  of  what  those  Committees  accomplished  will 
never  be  written,  but  the  spirit  of  the  work,  the 
quickened  love,  and  the  softened,  sweetened  thought 
when  the  note  of  appreciation  came  from  the  re- 
cipients, have  made  their  ineffaceable  imprint  upon 
the  consciousness  of  every  worker.  If  each  member 
of  a  Committee  has  thus  profited  by  the  experience, 
who  can  estimate  its  value  to  the  entire  Christian 
Science  organization  in  the  community,  and  therefore 
to  the  Christian  Science  cause  as  a  whole? 

One  day  sixty-five  boys  were  fitted  out  by  a  local 
Committee.  We  quote  from  the  report : 

"One  of  the  boys,  whose  father  is  a  well-known  ex-minister 
and  whose  mother  is  a  prominent  club  woman  here,  made  this 
statement  to  his  parents :  'Father,  you  and  mother  could  buy 

274 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

me  all  that  I  need;  but  there  is  not  money  enough  in  this 
city  to  buy  the  love  that  was  expressed  in  those  rooms  today.' 
Both  the  father  and  the  mother  had  previously  been  opposed 
to  Christian  Science,  yet  the  father  called  upon  the  Com- 
mittee the  following  Monday  morning  to  give  us  this  mes- 
sage, and  his  acknowledgment  of  the  work  done  here  shows 
that  much  more  is  being  accomplished  than  merely  the  giving 
out  of  knitted  garments." 

It  was  the  pleasure  of  one  Committee  to  provide  a 
neighboring  hospital  with  well-filled  comfort  bags, 
made  of  red,  white  and  blue  sateen.  At  the  Thanks- 
giving dinner  they  formed  the  principal  table  decora- 
tion, one  being  placed  at  each  plate. 

It  was  in  another  hospital,  supplied  with  comfort 
bags,  that  a  boy  in  the  tubercular  ward  said,  "We  sure 
need  a  little  brightness  in  here,  and  these  bags  are  so 
bright  and  pretty." 

Knitted  garments,  bags,  etc.,  for  two  hundred  men 
were  placed  in  the  care  of  the  chaplain  on  a  ship,  to 
be  distributed  by  him  on  Christmas  day,  when  the 
men  would  be  well  at  sea. 

From  a  southern  camp  came  the  following  letter: 

"Mesdames:  I  have  been  so  very  busy  in  these  last  two 
weeks  that  until  this  time  I  haven't  had  an  opportunity  to 
thank  you  for  that  very  wonderful  kit  you  sent  me.  You 
cannot  know  what  that  sweater  has  meant  and  will  mean 
during  the  winter  months  here.  The  nights,  even  at  this  time 
of  year,  have  been  very  cold.  And  I  am  using  every  other 
thing  you  sent  me — in  fact  the  first  button  I've  had  on  my 
clothes,  once  they  are  off,  can  be  accredited  to  the  influence 
of  that  little  sewing  kit. 

"I  have  a  younger  brother  who  hasn't  the  nerve  to  ask  for 
anything  in  this  world  except  his  breakfast,  and  he's  usually 
hungry — but  he's  been  wondering  if  you  would  consider  send- 

275 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ing  him  something  in  the  line  of  what  you  sent  me — especially 
those  warm  socks  and  a  sweater.  He's  a  private  and  does 
much  guard  work,  so  that  the  nights  catch  him  colder  than 
me.  I'll  thank  you  and  he  will  too. 

"Yours  is  a  wonderful  work,  and  the  boys  all  love  you  for 
it.  I'm  coming  over  to  thank  you  in  person  when  this  thing 
is  finished." 

From  the  captain  of  a  ship  came  this  cheering 
report : 

"I  wish  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the  gift  of  a  lovely 
comforter  which  was  left  on  board  by  the  Camp  Welfare 
Worker. 

"The  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  have  supplied  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  'Bridge'  repeatedly  with  articles  of 
this  design,  in  addition  to  helmets,  sweaters,  knitted  socks, 
and  other  garments  that  have  added  greatly  to  our  comfort 
and  efficiency.  The  kind  thoughts  that  have  come  with  these 
gifts  have  been  of  particular  value  to  us  and  we  have  felt 
from  the  first  that  our  ship  is  a  good  deal  of  a  Science  ship." 

From  a  lieutenant  on  another  ship : 

"I  wish  also  to  assure  you  of  the  appreciation  on  the  part 
of  all  hands  of  the  work  which  the  Christian  Science  Comforts 
Committee  has  been  doing.  At  the  instance  of  a  brother 
officer,  the  officers  and  crew  of  this  ship  have  been  the  re- 
cipients of  several  hundred  sweaters,  helmets,  wristlets,  socks, 
etc.,  which  were  sorely  needed,  how  much  so  none  who  have 
not  done  winter  duty  in  the  fleet,  can  have  the  slightest  con- 
ception. Also  I  am  more  than  persuaded  that  the  Christian 
Science  pamphlets  accompanying  the  various  articles  have 
sown  the  seed  of  truth  much  more  widely  and  deeply  than 
might  at  first  be  supposed." 

From  the  Roanoke  comes  this  report: 

"Dear  Friends :  Now  that  the  Roanoke  is  about  to  start 
on  its  mission,  I  wish  to  express  my  gratitude  and  the  appre- 

276 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

ciation  of  the  officers  and  crew  for  the  many  good  things 
which  you  and  the  other  Committees  have  done  for  the  happi- 
ness and  comfort  of  our  ship.  We  gave  out  the  knitted  goods 
to  the  crew  on  Saturday,  and  the  boys  said  that  they  have 
never  had  such  fine  sweaters  and  socks  as  those  furnished 
through  your  Committees.  In  my  position  as  one  of  the 
censors,  I  have  read  with  a  great  deal  of  interest  and  pleasure 
the  kind  expressions  toward  Christian  Science  and  Christian 
Scientists  which  they  have  made  in  writing  home  to  their 
relatives  and  friends." 

It  is  to  a  southern  camp  that  we  are  indebted  for 
the  following  letter: 

"No  mention  of  the  activities  would  be  complete  without 
tribute  to  the  dear  ladies  who  have  made  the  boys  so  many 
knitted  goods  and  comforts.  Oh,  if  they  could  only  see  the 
happiness  these  things  brought  to  the  boys,  their  many  hours 
of  work  would  surely  seem  to  be  repaid.  How  often  have  I 
wished  that  some  of  you  could  hear  the  gratitude  the  boys 
have  expressed  for  these  things.  How  they  were  touched  by 
the  quality  of  the  things.  Just  like  Mother  would  have  wanted 
to  give  them.  And  how  gently  they  would  handle  the  things. 
It  seemed  to  bring  them  that  touch  of  mother  love  that  they 
craved.  Oh,  but  I  am  glad  that  those  articles  were  made 
without  thought  of  cost  and  with  but  one  thought  and  that 
was  love.  And  the  boys  understood,  and  the  message  the 
comforts  carried  in  their  gentleness  woke  many  a  boy  to  a 
desire  for  higher  and  finer  things  than  he  knew  before,  and 
led  him  to  learn  the  religion  of  love.  We  never  can  guess 
the  good  these  comforts  have  done,  for  they  were  sent  out 
with  a  sustaining  thought  that  led  and  comforted." 

From  a  Camp  Worker: 

"We  received  313  sweaters,  536  pairs  of  wristers,  461  hel- 
mets, 500  pairs  of  socks,  and  36  scarfs.  .  .  .  The  issue  of 
these  comforts  broke  down  all  prejudice  against  Christian 
Science  and  has  opened  the  way  for  our  Committee.  In  fact, 

277 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

just  to  hear  the  name  Christian  Science  brings  words  of 
gratitude  from  every  man  and  opens  all  doors  to  us." 

The  following  letter  from  a  hospital  worker  might 
have  been  addressed  to  the  field  in  general : 

"The  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  has  already  sup- 
plied us  with  over  two  hundred  of  its  sweater  vests,  and  is 
giving  us  more  each  week.  These  vests  have  been  received 
with  eagerness  and  appreciation  by  the  men,  who  have  said 
repeatedly :  'This  is  the  best  gift  we  could  have.  Whoever  saw 
anything  so  fine.'  A  frequent  exclamation  is,  'Do  tell  the 
ladies  who  make  them  that  we  sure  are  grateful.' 

"The  labels  on  the  garments,  telling  in  what  city  they 
were  made,  have  served  to  bring  much  brightness.  Shouts  such 
as:  'A  lady  in  Houston,  Texas,  made  mine  for  me';  'A  lady 
in  Los  Angeles  made  mine';  'Mine  came  from  a  lady  in  Chi- 
cago,' and  so  on,  filled  the  rooms  one  day  as  we  were  dis- 
tributing these  garments. 

"More  than  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  men,  twenty- 
seven  medical  officers,  including  a  colonel  and  a  major,  seven 
women  nurses  and  five  reconstruction  workers  are  now  wear- 
ing these  garments. 

"Since  serving  as  a  War  Relief  Worker,  I  have  appre- 
ciated more  deeply  than  before,  the  loving  ministry  that  is 
being  accomplished  by  the  Forwarding  Committee.  Its  work 
has  not  been  confined  merely  to  caring  for  human  needs,  for 
large  numbers  of  men  who  have  received  the  'comforts'  have 
earnestly  inquired  about  the  spiritual  teaching  of  Christian 
Science,  often  saying,  'I  want  to  know  more  about  God.'  To 
such  our  literature  has  been  given,  and  later  these  boys 
have  asked  for  the  textbook  and  for  treatment.  With  deep 
thankfulness  I  have  observed  that  the  sweater  vests,  blanket 
wrappers,  and  afghans  which  have  been  given  to  me  to  dis- 
tribute have  brought  much  more  than  human  warmth  to  our 
noble  lads,  for  they  have  had  part  in  leading  the  thoughts 
of  these  boys  upward  to  the  love  of  God,  there  to  feel  the 
healing  touch  of  Truth." 

278 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

In  addition  to  the  letters  from  officers  and  War 
Relief  Workers,  many  were  received  from  individuals, 
whose  gratitude  compelled  expression.  The  following 
excerpt  bore  four  signatures. 

"We,  the  undersigned,  do  hereby  express  to  you  our  grate- 
ful and  heartfelt  appreciation  of  the  gracious  favors  and  gifts 
so  recently  bestowed  on  and  sent  to  us.  And  when  our  com- 
fort is  enhanced  by  the  wearing  of  the  several  articles,  we 
shall  think  much  and  many  times  of  the  loving  and  useful 
service  being  rendered  our  Cause  and  the  boys  upholding  that 
Cause,  by  the  Christian  Scientists  of  the  United  States  of 
America ;  for  such  unselfish  and  sincere  efforts  can  only  tend 
to  bring  to  us  the  more  speedily  a  just  and  lasting  peace 
achieved  by  a  decisive  victory." 

"Dear  Friends:  The  two  outfits  which  you  sent  to  my 
brother  and  me  arrived  Saturday.  Words  are  inadequate 
when  it  comes  to  expressing  our  gratitude  for  your  good- 
ness and  kindness.  From  the  bottom  of  our  hearts  we  thank 
you. 

"My  brother  is  a  very  quiet  boy  and  does  not  say  much, 
so  I  am  taking  this  opportunity  to  speak  for  both  of  us. 
Even  if  he  does  not  say  much,  he  appreciates  the  thoughtful- 
ness  and  graciousness  of  good  friends  very  keenly. 

"This  verbal  response  is  a  feeble  acknowledgment  of  your 
gift,  but  to  attest  my  feeling,  I  promise  you  that  I  shall  make 
a  constant  and  earnest  endeavor  to  know  the  truth,  and  do 
the  will  of  God,  and  help  others  to  do  likewise.  Accept  our 
thanks,  our  love  and  our  best  wishes." 

"Your  package  of  comforts  has  arrived,  and  filled  a  much 
needed  want.  If  the  various  people  who  knitted  these  things 
could  only  see  for  themselves  the  amount  of  comfort  I  derive 
from  their  use,  and  could  hear  the  words  of  appreciation  that 
we  say  among  ourselves,  I  feel  quite  sure  they  would  say  that 
their  labor  had  not  been  in  vain. 

279 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"If  one  of  the  boys  who  is  a  Scientist,  had  not  told  me  of 
the  work  you  are  doing,  I  would  not  be  able  to  extend  to  you 
my  thanks ;  and  if  you  are  doing  for  others  as  for  me,  quietly 
and  efficiently,  I  feel  I  owe  you  a  tribute  beyond  the  expres- 
sion of  thanks. 

"I  hope  at  some  future  day  to  procure  a  Science  and 
Health.  If  this  is  your  religion  I  want  to  know  more  about  it." 

"Just  a  word  of  appreciation  for  the  soft,  wonderful, 
woolen  knitted  goods,  I  received  some  time  ago.  A  soldier 
with  such  an  equipment  as  you  sent  me  is  surely  a  happy  man. 

"The  socks  are  not  of  the  cumbersome,  thick  style;  the 
sweater  vest  so  neat  and  comfortable  in  comparison  with 
others  seen;  the  skullcap  so  comfortable  at  night;  and 
wristlets  and  stormhood  of  the  softest,  nicest  work  I  have 
ever  seen. 

"It  is  truly  a  pleasure  to  wear  such  equipment.  It  is  just 
in  line  with  everything  else  good  that  comes  through  Chris- 
tian Science." 

That  the  work  of  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Com- 
mittee was  doing  much  toward  meeting  the  needs  of 
the  boys  in  this  country;  that  it  was  touching  their 
hearts  and  winning  their  appreciation;  nay,  more, 
that  it  was  bringing  to  them  big  evidences  of  a  divine, 
efficacious  Love,  was  apparent.  The  silent  influx  of 
love  expressed  told  more  than  words  could  say. 

The  individual  responses  to  silent  influence  would 
have  been  a  sufficiently  gratifying  recompense  to  the 
workers,  but  justice  demanded  in  addition  a  more 
official  recognition. 

The  following  letter  from  one  of  the  Christian 
Science  War  Relief  Workers  stationed  near  a  camp 
tells  an  important  story — a  story  typical  of  what  took 
place  in  many  government  posts. 

"As  an  expression  of  our  gratitude  for  the  help  received 

280 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

from  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  (Christian  Scien- 
tists) of  Boston,  we  are  sending  the  following  experience  as 
one  of  the  many  proofs  we  have  had  that  your  work  was 
appreciated. 

"When  the  camp  was  established  here,  our  committee,  to- 
gether with  other  welfare  organizations,  commenced  our  work 
amongst  the  boys,  but  found  very  few  who  were  interested  at 
all  in  what  we  were  trying  to  do  for  them.  In  fact,  when  the 
epidemic  broke  out  here,  we  were  told  by  the  Post  Com- 
mander that  no  welfare  workers  would  be  allowed  in  camp 
until  the  epidemic  was  over.  These  orders  were  very  emphatic. 

"Twelve  days  later  a  shipment  of  knitted  garments,  con- 
sisting of  a  sweater,  helmet,  pair  of  wristers  and  two  pairs 
of  socks  for  every  man  in  the  camp  was  received  from  your 
Committee.  These  garments  were  delivered  to  the  Company 
Commander,  and  at  noon  of  that  day  we  were  informed  over 
the  telephone  that  the  Post  Commander  wished  us  to  come 
out  to  the  camp  immediately,  as  he  had  never  seen  such  a 
splendid  array  of  knitted  goods,  and  that  while  the  men  were 
all  lined  up  in  front  of  the  Company  office  to  receive  the 
goods,  he  felt  that  we  should  see  the  goods  for  ourselves  and 
be  present  at  the  distribution.  Upon  arrival  at  the  camp  we 
were  met  by  the  Post  Commander  and  Company  Commander 
and  congratulated  upon  these  goods. 

"The  men  were  then  given  the  outfits  and  appreciated  them 
very  much,  as  the  winter  uniforms  and  overcoats  had  not 
been  issued,  and  the  nights  were  very  cold. 

"Since  that  time,  even  during  the  epidemic,  we  have  been 
allowed  to  go  anywhere  in  the  camp  and  help  many  of  the 
boys,  who  now  knew  that  we  were  there  to  help  them  and  not 
to  preach  to  them.  For  months  after  this,  and  even  yet,  the 
boys  will  tell  us  how  much  Christian  Science  has  done  for 
them,  and  how  they  feel  that  these  knitted  garments  saved 
many  of  them.  To  the  men  in  the  service  here  Christian 
Science  has  come  to  stand  for  that  which  helps  and  brings 
joy  and  comfort." 

281 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

In  a  newspaper  published  in  a  western  city- 
appeared  one  day  the  following  article: 

"They  moved  in  very  quietly.  They  didn't  celebrate  by 
tooting  horns  or  throwing  confetti.  In  fact  they  didn't  say  a 
word  about  it,  but  if  you  are  doing  any  window  shopping  you 
will  find  them  at  121  North  First  Street.  The  window  display 
of  well-made  little  garments  holds  the  interest,  and  the  neat 
sign  on  the  unobtrusive  gray  cardboard  is  self-explanatory, 
'Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  (Christian  Scientists).' 
You  go  in  because  you  can't  stay  out.  That  expression,  'Com- 
forts Forwarding,'  is  one  of  the  most  appealing  things  in  a 
day's  hunt  for  a  story.  Inside  there  are  space  and  light  and 
simplicity.  A  few  feathery  wild  grasses  for  desk  decoration, 
a  flag  on  the  wall,  work  everywhere,  and  bright-faced  women, 
one  of  whom  sa3^s  with  a  smile,  'It  is  joyful  work.'  Somehow 
you  seem  to  have  sensed  that  'comforts  forwarding'  must  be 
joyful  work — and  now  you  know  it.  It  is  a  labor  of  love." 

At  the  entrance  to  the  workroom  of  the  Comforts 
Forwarding  Committee  in  one  of  the  large  cities,  there 
were  forty  boxes,  filled  with  cut  garments  to  be  made, 
each  box  bearing  the  name  of  the  captain  of  a  unit, 
and  this  reminder : 

"As  Christian  Scientists,  our  garments  should  be  garments 
of  praise  made  in  the  spirit  of  holiness,  so  let  perfection,  not 
numbers,  be  our  object." 

A  thing  is  a  thought  made  manifest;  the  value  of 
an  article  is  exactly  the  value  of  the  thought  behind  it. 
Just  so  far  as  individual  members  of  the  Comforts 
Forwarding  Committee  lived  and  worked  in  the  heal- 
ing consciousness,  so  far  every  garment  made  carried 
with  it  the  healing  truth — the  truth  that  destroys 
erroneous  concepts  of  every  name  and  nature,  and  sets 
the  human  understanding  free. 

It  is  not  strange  then,  but  supremely  natural,  that 

282 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

our  friends  in  the  medical  profession  began  to  see  a 
great  light.  To  the  wonderful  results  in  this  direction, 
accomplished  by  the  War  Relief  and  Camp  Welfare 
Committees,  the  labors  of  the  women  made  no  small 
addition.  It  was  a  medical  officer  who  asked  for  a 
sweater  vest  to  send  to  his  son  in  another  camp,  and 
in  return  asked  if  he  could  not  in  some  way  help  the 
Welfare  Worker.  Not  long  after,  this  same  doctor 
requested  that  The  Christian  Science  Monitor  be 
placed  on  his  desk  daily.  It  was  another  member  of 
the  medical  profession  in  the  same  camp  who  said, 
"You  people  do  make  the  loveliest  things,"  and  a 
third,  to  whom  a  sweater  vest  had  been  given,  who,  as 
he  was  leaving  the  post  to  return  to  his  duties  as 
Health  Commissioner  in  one  of  our  large  cities,  said 
he  would  always  have  a  kind  feeling  for  Christian 
Science  and  Christian  Scientists,  and  that  as  Health 
Officer  he  knew  he  could  always  understand  them 
better.  From  another  physician  came  the  happy  state- 
ment that  he  never  heard  any  criticism  of  Christian 
Science  any  more  in  the  staff  meetings ;  that,  in  fact, 
many  kind  remarks  were  made,  and  he  was  right  then 
studying  Mrs.  Eddy's  works. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  the  field  to  know  that  the 
most  advanced  facilities  were  available  for  the  Com- 
forts Forwarding  work.  Not  only  did  electric  irons, 
electric  sewing  machines  and  knitting  machines  help 
to  quicken  the  work,  but  when  a  detachment  of  men 
ordered  overseas  were  found  to  be  in  need  of  "com- 
forts" fifteen  complete  outfits  were  hurried  to  them  by 
aeroplane.  Nor  was  it  a  mere  coincidence  that  the  pilot 
of  the  plane  was  a  devout  Christian  Scientist. 

As  long  as  the  boys  were  "over  here,"  however  much 
one  deprecated  the  training  camp  experiences,  there 

283 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

was  still  the  consciousness  that  as  compared  with  for- 
eign service,  they  were  still  at  home.  The  arms  of  the 
Mother-land  were  around  them.  The  usual  methods  of 
communication  were  available;  personal  gifts,  and 
even  personal  visits,  possible.  It  was  when  they  left 
for  "over  there"  that  the  father  and  the  mother 
awaited  eagerly  the  first  letter  announcing  their  ar- 
rival; and  how  happily  they  noted  that  either  before 
sailing  or  immediately  on  landing,  their  depleted  out- 
fits had  been  replenished  by  the  Comforts  Forward- 
ing Committee.  Sometimes  gratitude  to  this  Commit- 
tee compelled  a  letter  from  the  parents  themselves. 
Of  the  many  received  from  the  boys,  the  following 
will  serve  as  a  sample : 

"Somewhere  in  France. 
"August  1,  1918. 
"Dear  Friends: 

"This  is  the  first  opportunity  I  have  had  to  thank  you  for 
the  kind  gifts  I  received  from  your  Committee  last  February. 
The  weather  here  is  rather  chilly  at  night,  and  as  most  of  my 
work  is  done  under  cover  of  darkness,  I  cannot  help  appre- 
ciating the  value  of  warm  clothing. 

"One  of  the  ladies  of  your  society  was  kind  enough  to  call 
my  attention  to  the  91st  Psalm,  and  although  I've  had  lots 
of  spare  time  in  which  to  investigate  the  benefits  which  she 
claimed  were  to  be  derived  from  reading  it,  I  have  not  done 
so  until  today,  much  to  my  regret.  There  was  in  it  a  message 
of  calm  confidence  and  trust  in  a  Being  whom  I  had  known 
but  little  in  my  childhood,  and  in  whose  existence  I  have  not 
had  the  slightest  faith  as  I  grew  older.  But  war  is  a  great 
school,  and  I  am  considerably  wiser  today. 

"I  derived  special  comfort  from  the  fifth  and  seventh  verses, 
and  they  will  no  doubt  be  my  guiding  stars  when  I  get  at  close 
quarters  with  old  Fritz.  So  I  wish  to  thank  that  kind  lady 
most  cordially  for  a  good  tip. 

284 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

"I  am  with  the  306th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Company 
B,  and  I  am  going  to  make  it  a  point  to  visit  your  Committee 
in  person  as  soon  as  I  get  back  home,  and  thank  the  ladies 
for  their  ceaseless  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  young  men  who  are 
just  starting  on  their  military  careers. 

"Trusting  that  this  visit  may  be  in  the  very  near  future, 

"Respectfully  yours." 

In  the  matter  of  individual  distribution  on  the  other 
side,  our  Canadian  sisters  naturally  led  the  way,  their 
work  having  commenced  with  the  beginning  of  the 
war.  Although  their  activities  were  quite  distinct  from 
those  of  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  of  the 
United  States,  the  following  account  from  Toronto 
shows  the  same  animating  spirit,  proving  again  that 
Truth  is  one  and  indivisible,  and  unified  in  the  quali- 
ties expressing  it.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  incorporate  here 
this  incomplete  story  of  what  was  accomplished  by 
some  of  our  neighbor  Scientists: 

"Our  activity  grew  from  an  Overseas  Box  Committee  or- 
ganized by  members  of  First  and  Third  Churches  of  Christ, 
Scientist,  Toronto,  in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  and  which 
eventually  became  a  very  prominent  activity  of  the  Comforts 
Forwarding  Committee,  consisting  of  sending  individual 
boxes  of  food  and  comforts  to  approximately  one  hundred 
soldiers  a  month.  In  this  list  were  many  American  residents 
who  had  enlisted  in  the  Canadian  army.  We  sent  our  last 
shipment  in  October,  1918,  to  our  full  list  of  boys,  for  Christ- 
mas, numbering  between  three  and  four  hundred.  In  acknowl- 
edgment of  this  work  we  continually  received  letters  of  grati- 
tude, from  boys  not  only  in  England  and  France,  but  far- 
away Russia ;  also  from  a  group  of  five  Belgian  soldiers  whose 
desperate  need  became  known  to  a  member  of  our  Committee. 

"A  company  of  two  hundred  men  for  the  Siberian  Expe- 
ditionary Force  were  supplied,  each  with  a  sleeveless  jacket 

285 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

and  two  pairs  of  socks,  on  ten  days'  notice,  just  before  em- 
barking. Another  instance  of  our  being  able  to  answer  a  hur- 
ried call  for  comforts,  was  a  request  from  the  Navy  League 
for  seven  sleeveless  jackets  or  sweaters  and  helmets,  for  the 
officers  on  a  British  Merchant  Marine  just  arrived  at  Hali- 
fax, and  who  were  recovering  from  illness.  This  request  came 
from  the  Navy  League  only  after  trying  to  secure  these  com- 
forts from  every  other  Committee  supplying  comforts  for  the 
soldiers.  They  were  then  told  to  try  the  Christian  Scientists, 
as  they  seemed  to  be  the  only  organization  prepared  to  fill 
such  a  need  after  the  armistice  was  signed.  The  League 
showed  its  appreciation  of  our  quick  response  by  dropping  a 
donation  in  our  contribution  box.  The  following  day  they 
asked  for  supplies  for  two  more  sick  officers,  of  these  'splen- 
did  vests  and  helmets,'  and  sent  another  contribution  with  the 
messenger  who  came  for  them. 

"Our  branches  in  Kitchener,  London,  Hamilton,  Windsor 
and  Oshawa  helped  us  in  such  a  splendid  way,  that  our  total 
output  of  garments,  new  and  secondhand,  amounted  to 
approximately  eight  thousand  five  hundred,  exclusive  of  our 
shipments  of  overseas  boxes." 

Just  as  individual  knitting  and  sewing  on  this  side 
of  the  water  gave  way  to  the  united  activity  of  a  great 
organization  like  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Commit- 
tee, so  the  nature  and  volume  of  the  work  demanded  a 
strong,  efficient,  and  in  every  sense  cooperative  organi- 
zation on  the  other  side.  This  was  supplied  by  the 
Comite  Francais  de  la  Christian  Science  pour  les  Se- 
cours  de  Guerre.  The  arrangement  was  ideal.  Each 
Committee  was  in  a  measure  a  raison  d'etre  for  the 
other;  each  the  other's  incentive.  Through  the  inter- 
vention of  the  Comite  Francois  the  French  Minister 
of  Commerce  and  the  Minister  of  Blockade  and  Lib- 
erated Regions,  in  Paris,  granted  the  necessary  license 
for  the  landing  of  thirty  tons  monthly  of  our  material ; 

286 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

and  in  reply  to  a  circular  letter  sent  out  by  our  French 
Committee  to  Prefects,  Senators,  Deputies,  Mayors, 
etc.,  in  the  invaded  regions,  asking  for  definite  infor- 
mation in  regard  to  the  needs  of  the  people,  had  come 
scores  of  appealing  and  appreciative  replies. 

Shipping  space  must  be  found.  The  matter  was 
taken  up  with  the  French  High  Commission  in  New 
York,  but  without  immediate  results.  The  French 
Embassy  was  approached,  but  while  there  was  an  evi- 
dent desire  to  help,  there  seemed  to  be  no  way  of  over- 
stepping the  Commission  which  had  authority  over  all 
transportation.  During  the  discussion  with  the  Em- 
bassy, there  was  present  the  captain  of  a  fleet  of 
twelve  French  mine-sweepers,  who  offered  space  on 
his  boats  provided  the  Ambassador  approved  of  it. 
Approval  was  given,  and  as  the  boats  were  to  sail  from 
Boston,  they  were  especially  convenient  for  loading. 
Sailing  not  as  a  squadron,  but  at  different  times,  two 
were  scheduled  to  leave  in  December.  On  them  were 
loaded  one  hundred  fifty  of  the  five  hundred  cases  of 
clothing  then  ready.  They  put  out  to  sea,  proved 
unseaworthy,  and  in  two  or  three  days  returned  to 
port,  to  await  an  uncertain  future.  It  was  then  that  the 
French  High  Commission  took  up  the  matter,  and 
granted  space  on  some  merchant  vessels  under  French 
control.  The  shipments  were  as  follows : 

129  cases,  February,  1919,  via  Steamer  Hassel. 
125  cases,  April,  1919,  via  West  Elcasco. 
240  cases,  May,  1919,  via  Caxambu. 
65  cases,  July,  1919,  via  West  Elcasco. 

Before  the  garments  were  packed  in  the  cases  at 
Boston,  they  were  firmly  tied  in  bundles  of  two,  five  or 
ten,  each  bundle  bearing  a  label  stating  the  nature, 

287 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

number  and  size  of  the  garments.  The  same  care, 
orderliness  and  system  which  characterized  the  pack- 
ing, were  exercised  in  the  distribution  of  the  clothing 
among  the  refugees.  The  cases  were  landed  at  La  Pal- 
lice,  Le  Havre  or  Bordeaux,  and  generally  forwarded, 
by  railroad  or  canal,  to  Paris.  There  they  were  re- 
ceived by  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Commit- 
tee, together  with  a  descriptive  list  of  the  contents  of 
each  case.  From  Paris  they  were  sent  to  the  various 
Prefects,  Deputies,  Mayors,  etc.,  for  distribution.  To 
avoid  the  confusion,  loss  and  misfits  consequent  upon 
the  opening  of  cases  out  of  doors,  none  were  for- 
warded from  Paris  until  official  guarantee  of  a  suit- 
able housing  place  had  been  received. 

Several  consignments  were  made  to  Monsieur  Rin- 
guier,  Mayor  of  St.  Quentin  and  Deputy  of  the  Aisne. 
His  circumscription  comprised  many  villages,  and  the 
inhabitants  were  destitute  of  everything.  By  special 
arrangement  the  cases  were  sent  directly  from  Le 
Havre  to  St.  Quentin,  where  a  large  depot  was  pre- 
pared for  their  reception.  Madame  Ringuier  herself, 
with  a  splendid  corps  of  assistants,  mostty  women, 
prepared  the  garments  for  distribution.  Numbered 
cards  were  issued,  requiring  each  family  to  state  of 
whom  it  was  comprised,  and  what  help  had  already 
been  received  from  other  sources.  The  following 
poster  announcing  a  distribution  in  St.  Quentin,  was 
profusely  and  conspicuously  placed. 

ENGLISH  TRANSLATION  OF  POSTER 

Free  Distribution 

of 

CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE 

"Under  the  auspices  of  Madame  Ringuier,  5,  rue  Mariolle. 

288 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

"The  Committee  Lyon-Saint-Quentin  has  received  in  three 
days,  May  26,  27,  28,  2,242  applications  from  families,  repre- 
senting about  10,000  persons.  The  2,242  numbered  tickets 
were  remitted  to  Mme.  Ringuier,  Thursday,  May  29,  at  the 
time  she  was  finishing  the  inventory  of  the  cases  destined  to 
the  town  of  St.  Quentin,  the  total  of  which  amounted  to 
13,233  articles.  The  distribution  will  take  place  according  to 
series  of  200  from  the  16th  to  the  29th  of  June. 

"There  are  many  garments  for  girls,  exactly  6,942  articles, 
which  are  classified  according  to  ages:  1,774  dresses,  2,305 
underdresses,  489  aprons,  1,256  drawers,  749  chemises,  etc. 
This  is  the  most  important  lot  and  it  comprises  many  pretty 
things. 

"On  the  other  hand  there  are  few  garments  for  men.  Out 
of  the  3,791  articles,  there  are  3,108  pairs  of  socks,  524 
sweaters,  etc. 

"For  the  women  we  have  a  lot  of  1,075  articles:  105  mati- 
nees, 147  blankets  and  463  pretty  winter  dressing  gowns. 

"For  the  boys  there  are  1,425  various  articles. 

"These  figures  show  that  we  are  obliged  to  give  more  to 
the  cards  where  there  are  girls,  thus  reducing  the  share  of  the 
papas  and  mammas  in  order  to  make  up  the  packages  for 
the  families  where  there  are  no  girls. 

"We  wish  to  state  that  the  packages  are  made  up  accord- 
ing to  the  size  of  the  family  and  following  category: 

"1st,  Persons  who  have  never  received  anything. 

"2d,  Those  who  have  already  received,  and 

"3d,  Those  who  have  already  received  from  several  chari- 
ties. 

"This  goes  to  explain  that  the  packages  will  not  be  as 
important  for  the  families  composed  of  many  people. 

"We  have  in  reserve  100  magnificent  layettes  which  will  be 
distributed  as  births  occur  at  the  Maternity  Ward  of  the 
Hotel  Dieu. 

"There  are  few  shoes  to  distribute  for  we  have  sent  the 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

galoches  with  wooden  soles  to  some  of  the  villages  instead  of 
garments. 

"All  the  pretty  things,  which  are  absolutely  new,  we  owe  to 
the  generosity  of  the  Christian  Science  ladies,  whom  Mme. 
Ringuier  has  thanked  in  the  name  of  the  population. 

"Persons  should  keep  their  numbered  tickets,  which  will 
serve  for  the  drawing  of  the  15  sewing  machines. 

"The  making  of  the  packages  is  progressing  satisfactorily 
and  we  can  begin  the  distribution  Monday,  June  16,  and 
continue  every  day  from  4  to  6.30  p.m.  until  the  2,242  pack- 
ages are  exhausted. 

"To  avoid  all  pushing,  we  will  distribute  a  series  of  200 
packages  a  day.  As  the  prepared  packages  are  piled  up  one 
above  the  other,  we  are  obliged  to  follow  in  order.  The  first 
75  numbers  of  the  series  must  be  presented  between  4  and 
5  p.m. ;  the  following  75,  between  5  and  6,  and  the  last  50 
between  6  and  6.30  p.m. 

"In  this  way  no  time  will  be  lost. 

"NO  PUSHING  (Stand  in  line,  please). 

"ORDER  OF  THE  DISTRIBUTION  ACCORDING  TO 
SERIES  OF  200. 


"Every  Day  fron 

[  4  to  6.30  p.iu 

:. 

"Monday 

June  16 

Series 

1 

to 

200 

"Tuesday 

June  17 

Series 

201 

to 

400 

"Wednesday 

June  18 

Series 

401 

to 

600 

"Thursday 

June  19 

Series 

601 

to 

800 

"Friday 

June  20 

Series 

801 

to 

1000 

"Saturday 

June  21 

Series 

1001 

to 

1200 

"Monday 

June  23 

Series 

1201 

to 

1400 

"Tuesday 

June  24 

Series 

1401 

to 

1600 

"Wednesday 

June  25 

Series 

1601 

to 

1800 

"Thursday 

June  26 

Series 

1801 

to 

2000 

"Friday 

June  27 

Series 

2001 

to 

2242 

"The  drawing  of  the  15  sewing  machines  will  take  place 
Sunday,  June  29,  at  10  o'clock,  under  the  peristyle  of  the 

290 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

theater.  Only  the  members  of  the  commissions  will  have  access 
to  the  steps. 

"The  commission  will  be  composed  of  Messrs.  Ringuier, 
Tricotteaux  and  Charles  Deschamps,  Counsellors  of  the  Ar- 
rondissements,  and  the  persons  who  happen  to  have  the  cards 
bearing  numbers  200,  400,  600,  800,  1000,  1200,  1400,  1600, 
1800,  2000,  2200  are  requested  to  join  them  as  witnesses. 

"The  15  winning  numbers  will  be  immediately  posted  up," 

This  incident  in  St.  Quentin,  at  which  members  of 
the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  were 
present,  was  typical  of  the  dignified  method  of  dis- 
tribution of  all  the  refugee  garments  of  the  Comforts 
Forwarding  Committee;  and  it  is  interesting  to  note 
that  even  the  poster  announced  that  it  was  to  be  a  dis- 
tribution of  Christian  Science,  although  it  is  hardly  to 
be  supposed  that  the  authors  thereof  realized  the  truth 
of  the  statement.  It  is  evident  that  the  loving,  comfort- 
ing thoughts  of  this  Committee  accompanied  the 
garments. 

It  was  the  desire  of  the  War  Relief  Committee  to 
send  the  Comforts  Forwarding  articles  where  they 
were  most  needed.  One  such  place  was  Nantes,  the 
fifth  largest  city  in  France.  Already  burdened  with  its 
own  poor,  the  distress  and  suffering  were  greatly  in- 
creased by  the  large  number  of  refugees  allotted  to  it 
because  of  its  size.  In  addition  to  many  cases  of  cloth- 
ing which  were  sent  here  and  apportioned  to  the  fami- 
lies where  instant  relief  was  needed,  ten  cases  of  uncut 
flannel  were  given  to  the  Society  for  the  Aid  of 
Widows  and  Orphans.  Headquarters  were  opened, 
and  the  women  who  could  work  came  there  and  them- 
selves made  garments  from  the  flannel — a  bit  of  con- 
structive work  with  value. 

Another  industry  in  which  the  material  of  the  Com- 

291 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

forts  Forwarding  Committee  played  its  part,  was  that 
established  by  the  Marquise  de  Lagrange  for  the 
women  of  Brittany.  Desiring  to  interest  the  women  in 
knitting,  she  had  opened  a  little  place,  but  was  finan- 
cially unable  properly  to  equip  it.  With  help  given 
by  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee,  it 
was  possible  to  hire  larger  quarters  and  install  machin- 
ery. Twelve  cases  of  Comforts  Forwarding  yarn,  real 
yarn,  wool,  such  as  could  not  then  be  bought  in  France, 
were  donated,  and  a  genuine  industry  started.  The 
women  were  paid  for  their  labor,  and  the  output  sent 
to  Paris  to  be  sold.  This  tricotage,  open  to  all  classes, 
has  proved  a  special  blessing  to  the  many  women 
whose  social  position  and  circumstances  before  the 
war,  made  it  most  difficult  for  them  to  adjust  them- 
selves to  the  only  other  means  of  livelihood  open,  to 
them.  The  Marquise  herself  paved  the  way  by  per- 
sonally running  a  machine.  This  industry  has  come 
to  stay,  and  although  one  can  hardly  forecast  its 
future,  as  compared  with  the  many  Jittle  factories 
composed  of  a  few  hand  machines  installed  under  a 
canvas  covering,  in  the  midst  of  ruins  where  German 
prisoners  have  shoveled  away  the  debris,  it  promises 
much ;  and  its  comforts  seem  destined  to  be  forwarded 
indefinitely. 

This  account  of  overseas  distribution  is  but  a  sales- 
man's sample.  Over  one  hundred  and  forty  thousand 
new  garments  were  sent  through  the  Boston  head- 
quarters to  the  Committee  in  France,  and  placed  with 
phenomenal  care.  The  letters  of  acknowledgment 
which  have  been  received  from  the  beneficiaries  are 
many  and  sincere.  To  read  them  is  to  obtain  the  truest 
definition  of  war.  Though  they  tell  of  destruction,  suf- 
fering and  gaunt  want,  they  are  so  appreciative,  so 

292 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

redolent  with  gratitude,  that  the  tear  of  grief  is  almost 
dissolved  in  that  of  joy.  For  the  present  we  are  com- 
pelled to  let  the  few  lines  that  follow  speak  for  all : 

Prom  the  Mayor  of  Ribemont,  District  of  Saint- 
Quentin : 

"In  behalf  of  the  necessitous  population  of  Ribemont,  the 
task  of  telling  you  how  much  the  different  articles,  which  you 
were  kind  enough  to  send  to  our  commune,  are  appreciated,  is 
an  agreeable  one. 

"How  many  of  these  articles  fill  urgent  needs,  and  how 
concerned  are  our  unhappy  people,  having  lost  everything 
through  the  invasion  of  the  enemy.  Many  of  them  have  found 
absolutely  nothing  of  what  they  possessed  before  the  war, 
furniture,  linen,  clothes,  kitchen  utensils — everything  has 
disappeared.  Thus  you  see  with  what  eager  eyes  each  looks 
on  what  he  can  obtain  through  your  generosity. 

"Rest  assured  that  the  name  of  Christian  Science  will  come 
to  the  lips  of  each  one,  as  sentiments  of  kindness,  mutual  aid 
and  solidarity  are  evoked.  .  .  ." 

From  the  Countess  de  Mareuil: 

"I  found  your  Committee's  address  in  the  parcels  given  me 
for  the  devastated  village  of  Boullancourt,  and  I  thank  you 
with  all  my  heart  for  your  kindness. 

"We  had  there  an  estate  and  a  castle  which  are  entirely 
destroyed,  so  that  we  cannot  further  help  the  150  people  of 
the  little  village.  A  dozen  families  have  already  come  back, 
and  during  this  cold  weather  are  living  in  the  ruins  of  our 
cellars,  preferring  to  suffer  anything  rather  than  lose  the 
chance  to  sow  wheat  in  two  months.  Their  love  for  the  soil 
will  save  this  little  bit  of  France,  and  our  own  land  for  my 
three  children.  You  can  infer  how  much  your  generosity  was 
needed.  They  will  bless  your  name  forever. 

"It  is  awful  for  the  race  to  suffer  after  having  shed  almost 
the  last  drop  of  blood,  and  your  warm  clothes  will  save  more 
than  one  of  these  little  fellows.  .  .  . 

293 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"The  boches  stole  our  furniture  (it  was  old  and  fine)  before 
the  place  was  destroyed ;  they  cut  our  trees,  also,  so  that  we 
cannot  help  our  poor  peasants.  .  .  .  But  all  of  us  have  suf- 
fered for  France  with  a  willing  heart,  and  we  thank  God  for 
the  kind  friends  who  have  done  so  much  for  us.  .  .  ." 

The  holocaust  is  over.  The  treaty  of  peace  has  been 
signed.  The  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  was  a 
tender  arm  spontaneously  held  out  to  help  a  needy 
world.  Its  immediate  purpose  has  been  served  and  the 
organization  dissolved.  What  did  it  accomplish?  Meas- 
ured by  figures  as  follows : 

Total  number  of  garments  distributed  by  the 
Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  from  Decem- 
ber 1,  1917,  to  May  1,  1919 1,223,798 

Note. — Of  this  quantity,  904,101  garments  were 
distributed  by  the  Boston  Committee,  while 
the  remaining  319,692  articles  were  distributed 
by  the  local  Committees  direct. 

Included  in  the  articles  distributed  by  the  Boston 

Committee  were  the  following: 
Knitted  goods  and  other  comforts  given  to  men 

in  service 191,848 

Double-faced  eider  down  vests 3,575 

Convalescent  robes 4,009 

New  shoes  given  to  Italian  War  Relief  Committee  1,151 

500  cases  new  garments  shipped  to  Le  Comite 
Francais    de    la    Christian    Science    pour   les 

Secours  de  Guerre 140,095 

Old  and  new  garments  distributed  by  the  Boston 
Committee  through  local  Relief  organizations 

(note  list  below) 563,423 

Cases  uncut  outing  flannel,  including  cut  but  un- 
made garments  and  other  bulk  material     .       .  58 

Cases  bulk  yarn 12 

294 


A  UNIQUE  COMMITTEE 

Note. — Local  Relief  organizations  referred  to  above: 
Sons  of  American  Revolution  (Minute  Men  Committee). 
British  War  Relief. 
American  Fund  for  French  Wounded. 
Italian  War  Relief  Committee. 
Belgian  War  Relief  Commission. 
Polish  War  Relief  Committee. 
Serbian  War  Relief  Committee. 
Society  for  Protection  of  Children  of  the  Frontier. 
Quartermasters'  Department,  Washington  (for  Siberia), 
Wellesley  College  Unit. 
Smith  College  Unit. 

Having  read  these  figures,  what  do  they  tell  us? 
Very  little,  since  algebra  cannot  compute  or  alchemy 
resolve  them  into  the  true  substance  of  which  they  are 
the  human  expression.  The  mission  of  Christian  Sci- 
ence is  to  heal  and  redeem  and  what  was  accomplished 
through  this  new  and  united  labor  "knoweth  no  man." 
It  blessed  not  only  those  who  have  received  but  also 
those  who  have  given,  and  each  in  proportion,  not  to 
the  number  of  garments  turned  out,  but  to  the  clarity 
of  the  healing  thought  that  lay  behind  them.  This 
unique  organization  has  ceased  its  outward  activity 
and  disbanded,  but  human  ingenuity  is  powerless  to 
nullify  its  invisible  inspiration.  That  will  continue 
to  move  forward  through  undivided  space  and  un- 
counted time,  carrying  with  it  the  comfort  of  the 
Christ-love  and  giving  "the  garment  of  praise  for  the 
spirit  of  heaviness," 


295 


VIII 
TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

In  the  New  York  World  for  February  5,  1918,  there 
appeared  the  following  editorial : 

CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  NAVY 

"The  appointment  by  Secretary  Daniels  of  a  Christian 
Scientist  as  navy  chaplain  denotes  a  significant  change  in 
the  public  attitude  toward  the  faith  founded  by  Mrs.  Eddy. 

"Could  such  a  selection  of  a  spiritual  adviser  have  been 
conceived  of  in  Dewey's  navy?  Christian  Science  then  and 
long  after  was  anathema  to  the  regular  religious  denomina- 
tions of  the  country.  Legislation  was  invoked  to  restrain  it, 
medical  societies  prosecuted  its  practitioners  and  it  was  made 
to  bear  the  brunt  of  a  powerful  opposition  everywhere.  Now 
the  Government  gives  it  full  recognition  and  accords  its  read- 
ers an  equal  status  with  the  ministers  of  other  creeds.  Besides 
the  navy  chaplain,  there  are  two  Christian  Science  chaplains 
in  the  army. 

"So  have  the  old  antagonisms  subsided  and  the  earlier 
intolerance  given  way  under  the  spirit  of  religious  freedom. 
History  has  repeated  itself  once  more  and  the  new  kirk  has 
fought  its  way  to  a  place  alongside  of  the  old  kirk.  It  has 
been  an  interesting  process,  and  the  outcome  is  notable  as  an 
illustration  of  the  liberalizing  tendencies  of  modern  opinion, 
whether  religious  or  political." 

Such  was  the  tolerant  and  friendly  attitude  with 
which  the  public  as  a  whole  accepted  the  appointment 
of  Christian  Science  chaplains  in  the  army  and  navy. 

296 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

When  on  April  6,  1917,  the  United  States  made 
the  memorable  decision  which  allied  her  with  the  other 
liberty-loving  nations  of  the  world,  struggling  for  the 
preservation  of  freedom,  Christian  Scientists  were  not 
slow  to  respond  to  the  call  to  arms.  It  was  natural  that 
they  should  wish  to  be  represented  in  the  Chaplain 
Corps  and  efforts  were  at  once  made  towards  securing 
official  recognition  of  Christian  Science  chaplains, 
who  should  minister  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  men  of 
their  own  faith. 

The  appointment  of  Christian  Scientists  to  this 
position  was  first  made  possible  by  an  amendment  to 
the  Revised  Statutes  of  the  United  States  authorizing 
the  President  to  commission  twenty  chaplains-at- 
large  to  represent  those  denominations  not  already 
included  in  the  existing  law.  Prior  to  this  chaplains 
were  drawn  from  the  membership  of  those  churches 
united  as  The  Federated  Churches  of  Christ  of  Amer- 
ica, and  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  all  appli- 
cants were  required  to  be  ordained  clergymen.  Not 
included  in  this  list  were  several  denominations  which 
had  many  members  in  the  service,  and  to  meet  their 
demands  the  Chaplain-at-large  bill  was  introduced 
and  passed  by  Congress  and  approved  by  the  Presi- 
dent on  October  26,  1917.  The  Committee  of  the 
House  having  this  bill  in  charge  recommended  that 
these  chaplains  be  given  a  roving  commission  not 
attaching  them  to  any  one  regiment  directly.  The 
concluding  paragraph  of  the  order  as  passed  by  Con- 
gress was  as  follows: 

"Division  commanders  may  apply  to  the  Adjutant  General 
of  the  Army  for  the  services  of  chaplains-at-large  of  the 
Jewish,  Christian  Science,  Eastern  Catholic,  Mormon,  and 
Salvation  Army  denominations  if  they  deem  that  there  are 

297 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

sufficient  numbers  of  the  adherents  of  such  faiths  in  their 
divisions  to  render  chaplains-at-large  necessary." 

This  made  it  possible  for  the  members  of  these  denom- 
inations to  have  the  services  of  a  chaplain  of  their  own 
faith  and  to  have  services  conducted  according  to  the 
tenets  of  their  church. 

A  person  seeking  a  commission  in  the  army  as  a 
chaplain  must  make  application  to  the  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral in  Washington.  He  must  be  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States  over  21  and  under  45  years  of  age; 
must  be  a  graduate  of  a  recognized  college  or  univer- 
sity or  able  to  pass  an  examination  in  certain  subjects 
named  by  the  Adjutant  General;  he  must  be  in  good 
physical  health  and  is  obliged  to  pass  a  thorough 
physical  examination  before  an  army  medical  officer, 
and  must  be  endorsed  and  recommended  by  the  gov- 
erning board  of  the  denomination  of  which  he  is  a 
member.  The  examining  board  reports  its  findings  to 
the  Adjutant  General  with  recommendations,  and  if 
these  are  favorable  to  the  applicant  he  is  in  due  time 
given  a  commission  with  the  rank  of  a  first  lieutenant. 
He  wears  the  uniform  of  an  officer  with  the  proper 
insignia  as  stipulated  by  the  Uniform  Regulations. 
All  chaplains  with  the  exception  of  those  of  the  Jewish 
faith  wear  a  small  Latin  cross  of  silver  or  white  metal 
as  the  insignia  of  their  office.  The  Jewish  chaplain 
wears  a  small  six-pointed  star. 

The  first  appointment  of  chaplains  under  the 
Chaplain-at-large  act  gave  the  Christian  Scientists 
two,  who  were  endorsed  to  the  Secretary  of  War  by 
the  Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors.  This  was  a 
timely  and  official  recognition  by  the  United  States 
Government  of  the  Christian  Science  movement.  Mr. 

298 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

Edward  W.  Dickey  of  Los  Angeles,  California,  and 
Mr.  Martin  F.  Jackson  of  New  York  City  were  the 
first  appointees,  receiving  their  commissions  in  No- 
vember, 1917.  On  June  1,  1918,  a  third  army  chap- 
lain was  announced,  Mr.  Walter  S.  Cross  of  Balti- 
more, Maryland.  In  August  of  the  same  year  three 
additional  appointments  were  made  as  follows:  Mr. 
Gustavus  S.  Paine  of  Reno,  Nevada,  and  Mr.  Arthur 
C.  Whitney  and  Mr.  George  R.  Bonner,  both  of  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts.  When  a  Chaplains'  Training 
School  was  opened  in  October,  1918,  at  Camp  Taylor, 
Kentucky,  four  Christian  Scientists  entered  as  candi- 
dates. Mr.  William  M.  Bartlett  of  Concord,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  Mr.  Harry  K.  Filler  of  Youngstown, 
Ohio,  were  graduated  and  received  their  commissions 
in  November,  1918.  Mr.  Herbert  W.  Beck  of  Oak- 
land, California,  was  graduated  about  two  weeks 
later  and  assigned  to  duty  and  Mr.  Don  C.  Gilman 
of  San  Francisco,  California,  received  a  commission  in 
the  Reserve  Officers'  Corps  and  at  once  returned  to 
civil  life. 

Certain  definite  duties  are  prescribed  for  chaplains, 
probably  chief  of  which  is  the  maintenance  of  the 
morale  of  the  men  under  their  care.  They  are,  of 
course,  required  to  hold  religious  services  whenever 
circumstances  permit,  being  obliged  only  to  hold  those 
of  the  denomination  to  which  they  belong.  In  the  case 
of  Christian  Science  chaplains,  however,  their  willing- 
ness to  conduct  undenominational  services  in  addition 
to  their  own  created  a  very  favorable  impression. 
Chaplains  may  hold  classes  for  religious  instruction, 
and  must  supervise  the  education  of  those  who  are 
deficient  in  the  ordinary  branches  of  learning.  They 
are  required  to  visit  and  comfort  the  sick  and  when 

299 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

their  men  are  called  into  action  the  chaplain's  place 
is  with  the  wounded  and  in  the  dressing  stations.  The 
breadth  of  these  regulations  gave  our  chaplains  wide 
latitude  and  enabled  them  to  be  of  great  service  to 
their  men. 

The  Christian  Science  chaplains  who  were  assigned 
to  camps  in  this  country  held  regular  services  in  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  huts.  Of  the  first  service  in  Camp  Lee,  Virginia, 
Chaplain  Dickey  wrote: 

"You  will  be  interested  to  know  that  we  held  the  first 
Christian  Science  service  at  Camp  Lee  last  Sunday  at  9  in 
the  morning,  more  than  two  hundred  officers  and  men  being 
present.  The  attention  paid  to  the  reading  by  the  entire 
congregation  was  remarkable.  A  Y.  M.  C.  A.  hut  is  never  a 
very  quiet  place  for  a  religious  service,  but  on  this  occasion 
there  was  not  the  slightest  disturbance.  Many  of  those  pres- 
ent were  attending  their  first  Christian  Science  service  and 
one  man  asked  for  a  copy  of  the  textbook,  another  pro- 
nouncing it  the  best  church  service  he  had  ever  attended.  The 
singing  was  splendid.  Three  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretaries  remained 
in  the  room  throughout  the  meeting  and  followed  the  reading 
with  a  Quarterly.  I  was  assisted  in  the  service  by  a  private 
soldier,  and  am  sure  it  brought  a  healing  message." 

All  Christian  Scientists  in  camp,  no  matter  to  what 
unit  attached,  Infantry,  Artillery  or  Engineers,  were 
given  leave  to  attend  these  services.  The  chaplains 
made  the  round  of  the  camp  each  week,  spending  an 
appointed  time  with  each  battalion  when  the  men 
could  meet  with  them  and  procure  literature  and 
whatever  help  was  necessary.  They  were  given  the 
freedom  of  quarantined  areas  and  base  hospitals, 
where  Christian  Science  Monitors  were  distributed 
freely.  Occasionally  talks  on  Christian  Science  were 
given  to  the  officers  of  the  camp  upon  their  own  re- 

300 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

quest ;  and  official  government  notice  of  services  pub- 
lished in  the  "daily  communique"  were  read  at  "for- 
mation" before  every  man  in  camp.  At  Wednesday 
evening  meetings  often  a  discussion  of  means  of  pro- 
tection against  all  possible  enemy  attack  ensued,  and 
men  were  thereby  mentally  armored  for  the  strife 
before  them. 

Whether  in  this  country  or  overseas,  among  other 
duties  the  Christian  Science  chaplains  gave  lectures 
on  current  events,  ran  educational  classes,  gave  magie 
lantern  exhibitions,  organized  baseball  teams,  ref  ereed 
sporting  contests,  acted  as  interlocutors  in  minstrel 
shows,  arranged  dances  for  enlisted  men,  sang  in  con- 
certs, erected  Christmas  trees,  placed  The  Christian 
Science  Monitor  in  Officers'  Clubs  and  in  Red  Cross 
and  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Rest  Rooms,  ran  canteens,  cooked 
for  boys  away  from  their  mess  on  special  detail, 
assisted  as  stretcher  bearers,  helped  surgeons  in  first 
aid  stations,  carried  messages  back  to  Division  Head- 
quarters, dug  graves,  laid  boys  away,  conducted  their 
burial  services,  took  care  of  their  valuables,  wrote  to 
the  bereaved  parents,  joked  with  the  boys  who  wanted 
to  laugh  and  wept  with  those  who  would  cry.  Neces- 
sity really  made  the  chaplain  the  mother  of  the  army. 

The  Christian  Science  Monitor  became  the  chap- 
lain's first  aid  in  action.  It  went  over  the  top  tucked 
away  in  many  a  boy's  blouse.  It  was  carried  up  in 
aeroplanes  and  down  in  submarines.  It  found  a  place 
in  tanks  and  rode  securely  in  caissons.  It  was  first  read 
as  a  spiritual  comforter  and  then  used  as  a  material 
one,  being  spread  between  the  blankets  to  keep  its 
possessor  warm.  Roys  who  had  fallen  were  wrapped  in 
a  blanket  and  given  a  Christian  Science  Monitor  to 
read  while  a  canned  heat  kit  and  a  soup  cube  were 

801 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

being  brought  into  action.  Boys  who  went  over  the  top 
carried  no  pack  or  blanket  but  upon  gaining  their 
objective,  many  a  boy  made  a  bed  of  a  Christian 
Science  Monitor  to  sleep  on  until  supplies  and 
relief  could  be  brought  up.  During  bombardment,  if 
in  the  daytime,  to  take  a  Christian  Science  Monitor 
and  quietly  sit  down  by  the  roadside  and  read  did 
much  to  stabilize  the  men  of  the  command ;  if  at  night 
to  hum  or  whistle  the  air  from  one  of  our  Leader's 
hymns  had  the  same  effect. 

Chaplain  Dickey  was  first  assigned  to  Camp 
Upton,  New  York.  After  a  month's  sojourn  here  he 
was  transferred  to  Camp  Lee,  Virginia,  where  the 
80th  Division  was  in  training.  When  the  Division 
went  overseas  in  July,  the  chaplain  accompanied  it. 
They  spent  the  month  of  August  at  the  front  with  the 
British  army  just  north  of  Amiens.  Here  the  chap- 
lain did  a  good  work  in  supplying  Monitors  to  the 
front  line  troops — always  finding  them  eager  to  re- 
ceive the  paper  which  brought  them  news  of  home. 
He  was  transferred  in  September  to  duty  with  the 
91st  Division,  said  to  contain  more  Christian  Scien- 
tists than  any  other  one  division,  estimates  ranging 
up  to  1200  men.  These  troops  were  just  being  sent 
into  active  service  and  our  chaplain,  of  course,  accom- 
panied them,  endeavoring  to  keep  in  touch  with  his 
men  as  much  as  the  rapid  movement  of  the  troops  per- 
mitted. That  he  was  indeed  in  the  right  place  at  the 
right  time  the  following  from  one  of  his  letters  will 
indicate : 

"Only  recently  I  walked  into  a  hospital  to  see  a  lieutenant 
who  was  very  ill,  and  who  was  just  making  preparations  to 
wire  me  for  help.  As  far  as  he  knew  I  was  miles  from  his 
station.  He  had  a  splendid  healing.  On  another  occasion,  I 

302 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

walked  out  of  a  wood  and  across  a  road  to  where  a  southern 
California  regiment  was  encamped  and  hidden  from  enemy 
observation  and  walked  into  a  soldier  whom  I  had  never  seen 
and  who  was  at  that  moment  looking  for  me." 

After  some  weeks'  service  with  the  91st,  the  chap- 
lain was  sent  back  for  rest  and  recuperation,  turning 
over  his  duties  to  another  Christian  Scientist.  He 
returned  to  this  country  after  the  signing  of  the  armi- 
stice and  has  since  had  his  honorable  discharge  from 
the  army. 

Chaplain  Jackson  was  first  assigned  to  Camp  Dix, 
New  Jersey,  and  as  it  was  early  designated  as  an 
embarkation  camp,  he  requested  to  be  transferred 
overseas  with  the  men  among  whom  he  had  been  work- 
ing, the  78th  Division.  This  division  arrived  in  France 
in  August  and  was  at  once  sent  to  the  firing  line,  serv- 
ing forty-two  days  on  the  British  front,  twenty-one 
days  at  St.  Mihiel  and  twenty-six  days  in  the  Ar- 
gonne,  most  of  this  time  under  direct  fire,  although 
also  used  for  support  and  subjected  only  to  indirect 
fire  and  night  air  raids.  With  it  went  our  chaplain. 
He  was  assigned  to  a  point  located  about  in  the  center 
of  the  various  units  of  the  division.  From  here  he 
went  about  at  first  on  foot,  then  on  a  bicycle  and  later 
in  an  army  car,  delivering  Christian  Science  litera- 
ture, especially  the  Monitor,  to  men  in  the  various 
units  and  conducting  or  organizing  Christian  Science 
services  for  our  boys.    His  senior  chaplain  wrote : 

"Allow  me  to  express  to  you  my  appreciation  of  the  way 
you  have  carried  on  your  work  throughout  the  division.  In 
the  face  of  very  great  difficulties  you  have  been  untiring  and 
successful  in  getting  to  your  men.  You  have  set  a  very  in- 
spiring example  of  devotion  to  the  men  in  the  trenches. 

"Your  task  is  peculiarly  difficult  because  of  the  fact  that 

303 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

your  men  are  scattered  and  you  cannot  throw  yourself  into 
the  little  group  in  which  you  live,  and  feel  justified  in  for- 
getting all  the  rest  of  the  division.  In  a  way  the  ordinary 
battalion  chaplain  has  an  easier  task.  His  men  are  always 
right  at  hand  and  he  can  get  to  them  at  a  moment's  notice." 

As  the  78th  saw  so  much  active  service,  our  chap- 
lain felt  his  first  duty  was  to  the  men,  and,  although 
an  officer,  lived  entirely  with  the  "doughboys"  in  the 
war  zone,  eating,  sleeping  and  marching  with  them. 

In  one  of  his  letters  he  says : 

"Aside  from  the  incessant  whizzing  of  shells  and  breaking 
of  bombs  overhead,  I  was  gassed  several  times.  I  was  caught 
in  a  barrage  four  times — once  being  held  between  two  bar- 
rages for  two  hours  and  another  time  being  knocked  down 
by  the  concussion  of  high  explosive  shells  and  being  the  only 
one  of  several  to  come  out  of  the  'salvo'  unharmed.  You  will 
know  by  this  I  did  my  duty  and  was  not  a  back  area  helper. 
I  went  'over'  with  the  last  attack  at  the  Bois  des  Loges  and 
followed  our  division  for  three  days  going  from  Grand  Pre 
almost  to  Sedan  where  we  were  relieved." 

When  the  armistice  was  declared  this  chaplain  was 
cited  by  Headquarters  and  chosen  for  duty  with  the 
90th  Division,  having  the  freedom  of  the  entire  Army 
of  Occupation  for  his  field,  however.  He  was  located 
at  Berncastel  on  the  Moselle,  where  he  soon  secured 
permission  to  open  a  Christian  Science  soldiers'  read- 
ing room  which  was  utilized  by  many  of  the  men. 
Later  reading  rooms  where  Christian  Science  litera- 
ture could  be  obtained  were  also  established  under  his 
supervision  at  Hillisheim,  Daun,  Zeltinger,  Kinheim, 
Longkamp,  Neumagen. 

"I  had  the  pleasure,"  writes  Chaplain  Jackson,  "of  making 
the  official  picture  for  government  record  before  a  'movie' 

304 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

camera  of  a  religious  service  conducted  back  of  the  firing 
line.  I  stood  on  a  tank  reading  from  Science  and  Health  with 
the  Bible  and  Quarterly  in  my  other  hand  and  men  grouped 
about  me." 

When  the  division  left  for  home  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  St.  Nazaire,  one  of  the  principal  embarka- 
tion ports  for  our  armies  in  France,  where  he  subse- 
quently rendered  most  efficient  service  during  the 
days  of  final  embarkation. 

The  third  Christian  Science  army  chaplain,  Mr. 
Walter  S.  Cross,  received  his  commission  on  June  1, 
1918,  and  was  ordered  to  report  at  Camp  Stuart,  Vir- 
ginia. He  sailed  for  overseas  the  latter  part  of  June, 
and  on  the  trip  across  conducted  services  for  the  men 
on  the  deck  of  the  steamer.  Upon  reporting  at  Gen- 
eral Headquarters  he  was  assigned  for  duty  with  the 
89th  Division,  where  Christian  Science  services  were 
at  once  instituted,  as  well  as  those  of  an  undenomina- 
tional nature.  He  was  shortly  transferred  to  the  27th 
Division,  where  he  found  a  number  of  officers  and 
enlisted  men  interested  in  Christian  Science.  Six  men 
came  a  distance  of  seven  kilometers  to  attend  the 
services,  so  highly  did  they  value  them.  Athletic  activ- 
ity and  some  entertainment  had  been  started,  when  the 
men  were  called  into  active  service  at  the  front.  This 
division  was  cited  for  excellent  work  in  the  battle  of 
the  Salle,  near  Le  Cateau.  Their  losses  were  very 
slight,  the  chaplain  helping  and  encouraging  them 
throughout  the  engagement. 

After  the  signing  of  the  armistice  this  division 
moved  to  the  Le  Mans  area  and  the  chaplain  became 
active  in  helping  the  men  in  that  district,  beginning 
Christian  Science  services  at  the  Forwarding  Camp 

305 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

where  there  were  some  40,000  men  and  at  the  Belgian 
Camp  where  there  were  about  20,000.  In  one  of  his 
letters  he  says : 

"At  the  Forwarding  Camp  two  Y.  M.  C.  A.  girls  have 
been  a  great  help.  They  are  both  devoted  students  of  Chris- 
tian Science  and  alternated  as  Second  Reader  when  no  one 
else  in  camp  was  available." 

This  gives  an  interesting  glimpse  of  the  accomplish- 
ments of  the  women  workers  overseas. 

In  August,  1918,  three  additional  Christian  Science 
chaplains  in  the  army  received  their  appointments. 
Of  these,  one,  Mr.  Gustavus  S.  Paine,  was  assigned 
for  work  at  Camp  Devens,  Massachusetts.  Here  he 
was  able  to  cooperate  with  the  representatives  of  the 
War  Relief  Committee  who  had  been  working  in  this 
cantonment  for  a  number  of  months.  The  Christian 
Science  Board  of  Directors  provided  him  with  an 
automobile  to  enable  him  to  get  about  the  camp  more 
readily  and  as  he  said  in  one  of  his  letters : 

"I  made  it  a  point  never  to  ride  alone,  even  on  my  rounds 
of  the  camp,  but  always  picked  up  someone  going  in  my 
direction,  including  doctors,  nurses,  officers,  privates  and 
chaplains." 

His  duties,  like  those  of  the  other  chaplains,  included 
providing  for  or  overseeing  wholesome  entertainment 
for  the  boys  and  on  account  of  its  proximity  to  Boston 
he  was  able  to  secure  some  excellent  talent  for  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  programs.  Christian  Science  services  were 
of  course  conducted  under  his  supervision  and  much 
help  extended  to  the  men  in  uniform.  With  the  sign- 
ing of  the  armistice,  the  aspect  of  the  work  at  Camp 
Devens  was  much  altered  and  in  consequence  he 
received  his  discharge  on  December  19,  1918. 

306 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

The  third  chaplain  appointed  in  August,  1917,  Mr. 
Arthur  C.  Whitney,  received  orders  to  sail  for  France 
almost  immediately  and  upon  his  arrival  was  assigned 
as  chaplain  at  the  Army  Schools  near  Langres.  After 
a  short  stay  at  that  point  he  was  transferred  on  Octo- 
ber 5,  to  the  91st  Division,  in  active  service  in  Bel- 
gium. In  this  Belgian  campaign  our  army  operated 
in  conjunction  with  the  British,  French  and  Belgian 
under  the  command  of  the  King  of  Belgium,  being 
used  four  times  in  support  of  the  French  in  the  battle 
of  the  Lys-Scheldte.  The  division  went  into  action 
itself  on  October  31,  remaining  until  November  10,  at 
which  date  they  had  reached  the  town  of  Hoorbeke- 
St-Corneille.  It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  the  division 
was  cited  for  its  successful  work. 

Of  our  chaplain's  part  in  this  advance  his  captain 
wrote  as  follows: 

"Chaplain  Whitney  marched  with  me  at  the  head  of  my 
company  through  heavy  shell  fire  when  we  marched  into  posi- 
tion for  the  attack.  His  calm  and  encouraging  remarks  helped 
materially  to  steady  the  men  and,  I  am  frank  to  say,  caused 
me  to  feel  a  security  and  confidence  that  I  have  never  felt 
before  under  shell  fire.  Later  I  was  ordered  to  take  my  com- 
pany across  the  Scheldte  and  relieve  a  certain  French  organi- 
zation to  our  front.  Chaplain  Whitney  insisted  on  being  with 
the  company  even  though  I  told  him  how  dangerous  our  task 
was.  We  passed  through  the  French  first  line  and,  with  the 
company  deployed  as  skirmishers  over  a  seven-hundred-yard 
front,  advanced  to  a  village  (Hoorbeke-St-Corneille)  eight 
hundred  yards  beyond.  We  took  this  village  under  heavy 
machine  gun  and  shell  fire  and  drove  out  fifty  German 
machine  gunners.  Chaplain  Whitney  stayed  with  me  through- 
out the  engagement  in  the  front  line  and  I  am  glad  to  say  my 
company  did  not  suffer  one  single  casualty.  Divine  Provi- 
dence guided  us  safely  to  our  position  and  we  received  word 

307 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

that  any  further  advance  would  be  postponed.  The  following 
morning  as  we  were  forming  for  the  attack,  the  armistice  had 
been  signed." 

After  the  cessation  of  hostilities  the  91st  Division 
followed  the  Germans  through  Belgium  as  far  as 
Brussels,  later  returning  to  France  to  the  embarka- 
tion area  near  Le  Mans  to  await  transportation  to 
America.  During  this  time  our  chaplain  was  veiy 
active  on  behalf  of  his  men  and  established  Christian 
Science  soldiers'  reading  rooms  at  the  following  places 
in  Belgium:  Hoorbeke-St-Corneille,  Muelebeke,  Her- 
zele  on  the  Franco-Belgian  border  and  at  Nogent-le- 
Bernard  in  France.  The  rooms  were  maintained  as 
long  as  the  army  remained  in  these  cities  and  were 
always  the  headquarters  for  Christian  Scientists. 
Books  marked  for  the  lesson-sermon  of  the  current 
week,  and  scriptural  selections  and  hymns  to  further 
complete  the  service  were  always  available.  A  set  was 
always  kept  marked  for  the  following  week  for  the 
reason  that  from  ten  to  twenty-five  Christian  Science 
services  a  week  conducted  by  the  men  themselves  were 
at  one  time  being  held  in  the  91st  Division.  The  neces- 
sity for  completely  preparing  the  lesson  is  apparent 
and  although  readings  for  an  entire  service  were  at 
their  disposal,  the  men  often  worked  out  new  selec- 
tions for  themselves.  These  boys  were  also  organized 
by  the  chaplain  into  what  was  called  the  "91st  Divi- 
sion Literature  Distribution  Committee,"  which,  as  its 
name  implies,  made  each  Science  boy  a  committee 
through  whom  our  literature  reached  those  who  were 
ready  for  it. 

Under  the  direction  of  the  chaplain  also  what  was 
known  as  a  "Welfare  Outfit"  was  organized  and  con- 
ducted. This  consisted  of  a  canteen,  a  three-chair 

308 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

American  barber  shop,  a  tailor  shop,  a  six-night-a- 
week  entertainment,  a  reading  and  writing  room,  a 
recreation  room  fitted  up  with  games  of  various  sorts, 
and  a  package  department.  This  last  was  an  office  to 
which  men  could  bring  all  packages  they  wished  sent 
home.  They  were  weighed,  wrapped  and  properly 
stamped  and  started  on  their  trip  across  the  Atlantic. 
So  thoroughgoing  and  successful  was  the  "Welfare 
Outfit"  that  an  officer  who  inspected  it  declared  it  was 
one  of  the  finest  he  had  seen  in  France.  Soon  after, 
the  91st  left  the  embarkation  area  and  sailing  from 
St.  Nazaire,  arrived  in  this  country  in  April,  1919. 
The  chaplain  accompanied  them  and  has  since  that 
time  received  his  honorable  discharge  from  the  service. 
We  add  with  pleasure  that  since  Chaplain  Whit- 
ney's discharge,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  American  Expeditionary 
Forces  in  France,  the  Marshal  of  France,  Petain,  who 
is  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  French  Armies  of  the 
East,  issued  the  following  citation: 

"Chaplain  Arthur  C.  Whitney,  364  Regiment  Infantry 
near  Waereghem,  Belgium,  October  31,  1918,  placed  him- 
self at  the  head  of  the  company  and  marched  with  it  to  the 
reserved  positions.  By  his  courageous  works  and  his  coolness 
he  aided  in  keeping  good  order  among  this  troop." 

The  official  record  of  the  regiment  mentions  the 
incident  as  "one  of  the  most  deadly  shellings  which  the 
regiment  sustained."  For  this  service  the  French  Gov- 
ernment awarded  Chaplain  Whitney  the  Croix  de 
Guerre  with  bronze,  star. 

The  second  of  the  two  Chaplains  appointed  in 
August,  Mr.  George  R.  Bonner,  was  assigned  to  duty 
with   the   31st   or   Dixie   Division,   then   in    Camp 

309 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Wheeler,  Georgia.  As  the  31st  was  soon  ordered  over- 
seas he  accompanied  it  to  Camp  Mills,  sailing  to 
France  in  October,  1918,  attached  to  the  106th  Field 
Signal  Battalion.  Here  he  was  stationed  at  the  little 
town  of  Bracieux,  Loir-et-Cher,  and  as  the  31st  Divi- 
sion was  broken  up  on  its  arrival  in  France  our  chap- 
lain remained  with  the  106th  Field  Signal  Battalion, 
serving  the  wants  of  the  men  scattered  through  some 
thirteen  towns  in  that  section.  Here  he  was  active  in 
securing  and  building  up  a  good  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  which 
involved  scouring  the  country  round  about  to  procure 
the  necessary  equipment.  He  also  held  regular  army 
religious  services  in  some  ten  different  towns,  assist- 
ing as  well  any  Christian  Scientists  who  came  to  him 
for  help,  being  designated  as  Depot  Chaplain  for  this 
area. 

When  later  transferred  to  Cour-Cheverny,  Loir-et- 
Cher,  our  chaplain  was  instrumental  in  starting  a 
weekly  newspaper,  entitled,  "Toot-Sweet."  This  was 
a  success  and  became  the  organ  of  the  Signal  Corps 
men.  Here  also  he  secured  a  large  tent  auditorium  for 
moving  pictures  and  other  camp  entertainment,  as 
previous  to  this  no  adequate  place  was  available. 
Regular  Christian  Science  services  were  also  insti- 
tuted at  Cour-Cheverny.  Something  of  the  activity  of 
the  chaplain  for  one  day  will  be  indicated  by  the 
following  from  one  of  his  letters : 

"Tomorrow  I  must  go  about  the  area  arranging  for  Sun- 
day services ;  must  call  on  the  owner  of  a  chateau  to  arrange 
for  a  dance  for  the  major;  look  up  a  man  in  trouble  in  one 
of  the  battalions;  take  a  book  on  farming  that  came  to  me 
by  mail  from  Paris  to  another  man ;  call  at  the  hospital ;  go 
to  headquarters  on  two  items  and  arrange  for  some  work  for 
the  band.  That  and  visits  to  one  or  two  men  who  have  asked 

310 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

me  to  see  them  are  all  that  I  have  in  view  but  experience  has 
taught  me  to  expect  other  incidents." 

Our  chaplain  remained  at  Cour-Cheverny  until  the 
breaking  up  of  the  depot  there,  when  he  was  tempora- 
rily assigned  to  Tours  awaiting  further  orders.  The 
following  letter  from  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretary  who 
worked  with  our  Chaplain  will  indicate  something  of 
the  friendly  relations  established  by  him: 

"Blois,  February  21,  1919. 
"To  Whom  It  May  Concern: 

"It  has  been  my  pleasure  to  be  associated  with  Chaplain 
George  R.  Bonner,  U.  S.  A.,  in  the  work  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
in  the  A.  E.  F.  I  have  found  him  a  very  energetic  and  efficient 
officer.  Our  relations  have  been  the  happiest.  He  was  instru- 
mental to  a  degree  in  furthering  our  very  successful  work  at 
Bracieux  and  Cour-Cheverny  in  the  Blois  Division.  His  efforts 
in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  enlisted  men  have  been  tire- 
less, and  he  did  all  in  his  power  to  procure  the  meager  sup- 
plies that  it  was  possible  to  obtain. 

"I  want  to  emphasize  the  fact  that  Chaplain  Bonner  was 
more  than  solicitous  that  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation should  have  due  recognition,  and  any  criticism  of  it 
was  keenly  felt  by  him.  In  behalf  of  the  organization  of  my 
Division  I  wish  to  express  herein  my  gratitude  and  appre- 
ciation. 

"(Signed)  Div.  Secretary,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Blois." 

In  October,  1918,  four  Christian  Scientists,  Mr. 
Harry  K.  Filler,  Mr.  William  M.  Bartlett,  Mr.  Her- 
bert W.  Beck,  and  Mr.  Don  C.  Gilman,  were  admitted 
as  candidates  to  a  Chaplains'  Training  School  held  at 
Camp  Zachary  Taylor,  Kentucky.  Of  these,  two 
finished  the  prescribed  five  weeks'  course  in  four  weeks 
and  received  their  commissions.  While  at  Camp  Tay- 
lor the  influenza  epidemic  was  at  its  height  and  these 

311 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

candidates  were  asked  to  do  hospital  duty,  which 
resulted  in  healing  to  many. 

Mr.  Filler  and  Mr.  Bartlett  were  graduated  in 
November,  received  sailing  orders  at  once  and  left 
for  France  on  November  15  to  be  assigned  upon  their 
arrival  overseas.  Together  they  attended  a  Chaplains' 
School  near  Le  Mans  and  were  then  ordered  to  duty, 
Mr.  Bartlett  to  Bordeaux  and  Mr.  Filler  to  Base 
Hospital  No.  7  at  Beaune.  Chaplain  Filler  made  the 
most  of  a  wonderful  opportunity  to  turn  men's 
thoughts  towards  spiritual  things  through  the  shining 
light  of  a  good  example.  For  some  months  work 
among  the  men  in  the  wards  was  faithfully  done,  each 
one  soon  learning  that  the  chaplain  was  his  friend  and 
ever  ready  to  be  of  service. 

At  Christmas  time  he  wrote: 

"The  Red  Cross  gave  each  man  a  pair  of  woolen  stockings 
filled.  I  was  delegated  to  get  them  around  the  wards  and  it 
was  a  real  pleasure  for  me  to  do  so.  I  went  into  town,  Beaune, 
and  bought  all  the  pretty  little  cards  one  store  had,  some 
890,  and  asked  fellows  who  were  good  writers  to  write  the 
names  of  all  the  patients  on  them.  Being  mail  censor  I  am 
quite  sure  that  about  every  one  of  those  cards  is  on  its  way 
to  the  States  now,  bearing  mute  evidence  to  the  fact  that  the 
boys  were  remembered  on  Christmas  day.  I  had  arranged  with 
the  Red  Cross  to  give  me  some  extra  stockings  and  I  had  a 
detail  of  men  take  them  down  to  the  forty-five  fellows  in  the 
camp  prison.  I  never  did  anything  that  was  any  more  appre- 
ciated and  it  gave  me  a  splendid  opportunity  to  tell  the  fel- 
lows there  that  I  was  their  chaplain  and  friend." 

The  chaplain's  presence  in  the  surgical  ward  came 
to  be  much  appreciated,  for  the  boys  and  the  doctors 
felt  his  helpful  encouraging  thought  and  wanted  him 
to  be  at  hand  during  a  trying  time. 

312 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

He  held  undenominational  services  in  the  hospital 
and  one  boy  who  was  a  regular  attendant  remarked: 

"I  feel  different  about  things  since  I  came  here  to  the  hos- 
pital and  have  heard  you.  You  have  brought  God  very  much 
nearer  to  me  than  He  has  ever  seemed  before." 

The  progress  made  by  the  patients  in  the  hospital 
was  very  marked  and  when  the  chaplain  was  assigned 
to  duty  at  the  A.  E.  F.  University  at  Beaune  the 
Commander  of  the  hospital  wrote  the  following  letter 
to  him,  which  speaks  for  itself: 

"Headquarters,  Base  Hospital  No.  77. 
"APO  909,  American  E.  F. 
"Beaune,  Cote  d'Or,  France. 
"March  8,  1919. 

"To  whom  these  presents  may  come,  Greetings : 

"This  is  to  certify  that  Harry  K.  Filler  was  the  Chaplain 
of  Base  Hospital  No.  77,  APO  909,  American  Expeditionary 
Forces,  France.  His  work  with  this  organization  was  of 
the  highest  type.  It  was  characterized  by  his  tireless  efforts 
to  relieve  the  suffering  of  the  sick  and  wounded  and  his  con- 
scientious desire  to  comfort,  encourage  and  entertain  the  boys 
in  the  hospital.  His  was  at  all  times  a  helping  hand.  He  is  a 
man  of  exceptional  qualities  and  high  ideals  and  he  has  done 
much  to  stimulate  the  moral  standing  of  the  soldiers  and  to 
relieve  them  in  many  material  ways. 

"It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  testify  to  the  character, 
integrity  and  veracity  of  Chaplain  Filler.  He  came  to  us  a 
stranger,  but  leaves  with  the  love  and  high  esteem  of  all  the 
officers  and  soldiers  of  Base  Hospital  No.  77. 
"(Signed) 


"Lieut.-Colonel,  Medical  Corps. 
"Commanding  Base  Hospital  No.  77." 

313 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Chaplain  Filler  was  then  transferred  to  the  A.  E.  F. 
University  of  Beaune,  where  some  18,000  soldier  stu- 
dents were  in  attendance.  His  undenominational 
talks  to  the  men  were  well  attended,  and  on  some  occa- 
sions many  were  turned  away.  He  also  conducted  a 
class  in  Bible  study  which  was  received  with  much 
interest.  Regular  Christian  Science  services  were  held 
Sunday  and  Wednesday  for  the  boys  who  were  inter- 
ested. He  had  charge  of  the  athletics  of  the  Univer- 
sity and  himself  sometimes  took  a  hand  in  the  game. 
He  gave  much  care  and  supervision  to  work  on  the 
American  cemetery  at  Beaune,  for  as  he  said  in  a 
recent  letter: 

"I  am  finding  out  what  Paul  meant  when  he  spoke  of  being 
all  things  to  all  people." 

The  second  of  the  two  chaplains,  Mr.  Bartlett, 
after  a  short  sojourn  at  the  Chaplains'  School  at 
Chateau  l'Aux  Loupeland  was  assigned  on  December 
9,  to  duty  at  Bordeaux  in  Camp  de  Souge.  This  was 
one  of  the  finest  and  largest  camps  in  France,  having 
a  capacity  of  25,000,  with  some  13,000  troops  gen- 
erally in  waiting  there  on,  their  way  back  to  the  United 
States.  The  population  was  constantly  changing, 
which  gave  the  chaplain  opportunity  of  reaching  new 
men  continually  with  the  Truth.  Two  regular  army 
services  were  conducted  in  a  "Y"  hut  each  Sunday 
and  soon  after  the  chaplain's  arrival  Christian  Science 
boys  in  attendance  at  these  undenominational  talks 
marked  our  chaplain  for  a  Scientist  and  sought  him 
out  afterwards.  Our  own  services  were  soon  started 
and  a  midweek  meeting  was  also  conducted.  These 
were  announced  in  the  bulletin  of  religious  services 

314 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

so  that  newcomers  to  the  camp  found  them  as  soon  as 
they  arrived. 

The  chaplain's  room  in  camp  became  a  haven  of 
retreat  for  boys  who  wished  to  read  and  study  un- 
disturbed and  in  one  case  a  boy  who  had  not  known 
what  it  was  to  have  a  quiet  moment  alone  for  months 
was  healed  of  a  serious  throat  trouble  while  reading 
the  lesson  in  the  chaplain's  quarters.  As  elsewhere 
our  chaplain  had  charge  of  the  athletic  and  entertain- 
ment features  of  the  camp,  visited  the  hospitals,  dis- 
tributed our  literature  to  those  who  wished  it  and 
found  his  days  very  full  of  busy  activity. 

One  especially  interesting  development  of  his  work 
was  the  kindly  help  to  men  in  the  Detention  camp. 
These  men  were  not  permitted  to  sail  for  home 
because  suffering  from  a  form  of  venereal  disease. 
They  were  looked  upon  as  being  in  disgrace  and  their 
general  condition  was  one  of  condemnation  and  hope- 
lessness. Several  of  them  appealed  to  our  chaplain 
for  help  and  he  met  nearly  every  day  with  a  little 
group  dubbed  in  fun  "The  Day  Break  Club,"  to  read 
the  lesson.  Much  earnest  study  took  place  and  splen- 
did progress  was  noted.  During  the  month  of  Feb- 
ruary, Mr.  Bartlett  was  made  ranking  chaplain  of 
Camp  de  Souge,  which  put  all  the  activities  of  a 
religious  nature  under  his  direction.  Some  months 
later  the  medical  lieutenant  colonel  and  the  major 
of  Camp  de  Souge,  requested  our  chaplain  to  accom- 
pany the  Detention  Battalion  to  a  new  camp  near 
Bordeaux.  His  work  was  so  much  appreciated  that 
he  was  asked  to  remain  with  the  staff  until  all  of  the 
men  were  on  their  way  to  America. 

The  third  candidate  who  attended  the  Chaplains' 

315 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Training  School  at  Camp  Taylor,  Mr.  Herbert  W. 
Beck,  received  his  commission  in  November,  1918,  and 
was  assigned  to  duty  at  Camp  Kearny,  California, 
in  December.  Here  the  Christian  Science  Welfare 
House  built  by  the  War  Relief  Committee  was  just 
about  to  be  taken  over  by  the  Government.  Our 
chaplain  was  given  this  house  as  his  headquarters  and 
conducted  Christian  Science  services  on  Sunday  and 
a  midweek  meeting  as  well. 

The  following  splendid  bit  from  one  of  his  letters 
will  indicate  something  of  the  work  he  did : 

"Since  I  have  been  in  the  army,  four  army  chaplains  have 
been  healed  and  taken  up  the  study  of  Christian  Science.  The 
first  was  in  training  camp,  the  others  here.  One  here  has  been 
healed  of  an  abnormal  growth,  nervous  prostration  and  an- 
other chronic  ill,  while  his  wife  has  been  healed  of  misplace- 
ment and  tuberculosis.  Another  after  being  healed  and  read- 
ing his  Science  and  Health  saw  that  this  was  the  way  that 
he  had  been  seeking,  took  his  discharge  saying  he  'could 
no  longer  preach  the  old  dogmas'  and  went  with  his  little 
book  into  civil  life  to  be  a  Scientist.  The  fourth  was  instantly 
healed  of  stomach  trouble  of  years'  standing  and  he  asked 
me  today  to  take  over  his  wife's  case.  The  second  and  fourth 
chaplains  just  mentioned  are  faithful  attendants  at  my  serv- 
ice in  the  Christian  Science  House  and  also  make  it  their 
place  of  meeting  with  me  each  day." 

The  fourth  candidate  at  the  training  school,  Mr. 
Don  C.  Gilman,  was  graduated  in  November,  1918, 
and  received  his  commission  in  the  Reserve  Force.  As 
the  armistice  had  just  been  signed,  he  was  given  his 
discharge  and  returned  to  civil  life. 

Only  one  chaplain  was  appointed  in  the  United 
States  Navy.  In  January,  1918,  Mr.  Richard  J. 
Davis  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  received  his  commis- 

316 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

sion,  and  was  assigned  for  a  short  time  to  the  Boston 
Navy  Yard.  While  there,  a  service  was  held  aboard 
the  U.  S.  S.  Salem,  of  which  the  Christian  Science 
Sentinel  for  April  27,  1918,  had  the  following  de- 
scription: 

A  NOTABLE  SERVICE 

"On  Sunday,  February  17,  1918,  there  took  place  on  one 
of  the  battleships  stationed  at  Boston  Navy  Yard,  Charles- 
town,  Massachusetts,  the  first  official  Christian  Science 
service  to  be  held  in  the  United  States  Navy.  The  ship  was 
rigged  for  church,  and  at  a  few  minutes  before  half  past  ten 
o'clock  the  bugle  call  for  divine  service  was  sounded.  At  the 
same  time  the  church  flag  which  bears  the  cross  was  raised, 
this  flag  being  the  only  one  which  is  ever  hoisted  above  the 
Stars  and  Stripes.  It  remained  flying  throughout  the  dura- 
tion of  the  service,  to  indicate  that  divine  worship  was  in 
progress  aboard  the  ship. 

"The  reading  desk  consisted  of  two  steel  barrels  and 
several  flat  gratings  covered  with  an  American  flag.  A  piano 
was  available  for  hymns  and  solo,  and  chairs  and  benches 
were  provided  for  the  audience.  Chaplain  Richard  J.  Davis, 
U.  S.  N.,  acted  as  First  Reader  and  Lieutenant  Samuel  W. 
Burgess  as  Second  Reader.  With  the  exception  of  a  few 
guests  the  audience  was  composed  of  naval  officers  and  sea- 
men to  the  number  of  thirty  or  forty.  All  felt  the  deepest 
gratitude  and  joy  that  Christian  Science  services  are  now 
made  possible  for  the  men  of  the  navy." 

The  chaplain  was  soon  assigned  for  permanent 
duty  aboard  the  U.  S.  S.  Roanoke.  This  ship  was  one 
of  a  fleet  of  ten  mine-layers  then  under  orders  to  sail 
for  an  European  base  to  lay  a  barrage  of  mines  across 
the  North  Sea.  A  number  of  officers  and  enlisted  men 
on  this  ship  were  students  or  interested  readers  of  our 
literature  and  before  the  squadron  left  this  country 

317 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

the  chaplain  was  conducting  Christian  Science  serv- 
ices, as  well  as  undenominational  services,  aboard  his 
ship. 

When  the  fleet  silently  sailed  for  Europe  under 
heavy  convoy,  our  chaplain  was  designated  as  chap- 
lain for  the  entire  squadron  of  mine-layers  and  he, 
with  the  other  Christian  Scientists  aboard,  began  to 
realize  the  magnitude  of  the  work  they  were  called 
upon  to  do.  The  chaplain's  cabin  became  the  head- 
quarters for  the  Science  boys  and  an  earnest  group 
gathered  in  it  each  day  to  read  the  lesson  and  gain 
spiritual  inspiration  for  the  work  in  hand.  We  quote 
from  a  letter  written  by  these  men  to  the  Christian 
Science  Board  of  Directors  about  the  time  of  the 
annual  meeting  in  June,  1918: 

"Dear  Friends :  We,  a  group  of  men  serving  together  on 
an  American  man-of-war,  take  this  opportunity  of  express- 
ing our  loyalty  to  The  Mother  Church,  and  the  Christian 
Science  Board  of  Directors  in  annual  meeting  assembled. 

"Never  did  we  realize  the  priceless  gift  of  Christian 
Science  more  than  in  these  days  of  war,  when  it  has  carried 
us  in  the  silent  watches  of  the  night  through  seeming  danger 
of  fog,  mine,  and  submarine,  and  has  been  an  ever-present 
Comforter  assuring  us  of  a  complete  and  certain  safety. 

"We  wish  to  express  our  gratitude  for  the  provision  of 
literature  and  our  vest-pocket  edition  of  Science  and  Health 
with  Key  to  the  Scriptures,  for  the  good  things  provided 
through  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee  and  the  Camp 
Welfare  workers,  also  for  the  privilege  of  holding  Christian 
Science  services  each  Sunday  on  board  our  ship. 

"It  is  a  comfort  for  us  to  know  that  we  have  the  loving 
thoughts  and  prayers  of  our  friends,  and  Christian  Scien- 
tists everywhere,  helping  us  in  our  work,  whether  it  be  in  the 
trenches  or  on  the  sea. 

"Almost  every   night   those   of  us   who   are  interested   in 

318 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

Christian  Science  gather  for  the  lesson-sermon,  or  to  hear 
some  good  article  from  our  publications.  We  are  grateful 
for  the  opportunity  we  have  of  proving  the  Principle  of 
Christian  Science;  and  striving  each  day  to  abide  in  the 
secret  place  of  the  most  High,  we  know  that  evil  shall  not 
come  nigh  our  dwelling. 

"The  enclosed  checks  for  $100  are  the  contribution  of 
the  boys  and  officers  on  board  our  ship  to  the  War  Relief 
Fund. 

"With  loving  wishes," 

(  Signed — Committee.) 

On  the  trip  across,  a  torpedo  from  a  submarine  was 
fired  across  the  bow  of  the  Roanoke  but  failed  to 
strike  it  and  from  then  on  the  story  of  the  protection 
afforded  this  entire  naval  operation  is  one  which 
to  human  thought  seems  miraculous.  The  mine  bar- 
rage was  laid  across  the  North  Sea  from  the  Orkney 
Islands  to  the  coast  of  Norway  and  during  their  nine 
months  abroad,  the  mine-layers  made  thirteen  trips 
out  into  the  North  Sea,  in  constant  danger  from 
enemy  submarines,  airships,  and  floating  mines,  while 
being  laden  themselves  with  tons  of  the  deadly  explo- 
sive TNT.  Each  of  the  larger  ships,  it  is  said,  carried 
three  times  as  much  of  this  explosive  as  that  which 
destroyed  the  town  of  Halifax. 

It  was  the  duty  of  our  chaplain  to  accompany  his 
ship  on  these  mine-laying  excursions,  and  in  addition 
to  the  task  of  providing  for  the  spiritual  needs  of  the 
men,  he  was  given  what  was  known  as  a  "vigilance 
watch."  Thus  while  the  other  officers  slept  and  the 
squadron,  sometimes  accompanied  by  twelve  destroy- 
ers and  armed  cruisers,  silently  steamed  along  in  the 
darkness  of  the  North  Sea,  the  Christian  Science 
chaplain  was  on  guard,  knowing  the  power  of  the 

319 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

ever-presence  of  God  to  protect  all  these  ships.  There 
were  several  submarine  attacks  on  the  fleet  but  none 
were  successful. 

Once  the  entire  squadron,  through  an  error  in  the 
navigation  charts,  crossed  and  recrossed  a  German 
mine  field  without  harm.  Despite  fogs  and  other  ob- 
stacles, the  barrage  was  laid  without  a  single  casualty 
or  other  mishap.  What  this  means  may  best  be  under- 
stood when  it  is  stated  that  this  mine-laying  squadron 
was  known  as  the  "Suicide  Fleet."  The  work  was 
thought  to  mean  certain  death  and  this  was  based  on 
the  experience  of  the  British  mine-layers  for,  of  their 
twelve  original  ships,  nine  are  said  to  have  been  lost 
with  all  hands  aboard. 

Aside  from  his  work  as  a  Christian  Scientist  in  the 
fleet,  our  chaplain  provided  entertainment  and  amuse- 
ment for  his  men.  On  July  4,  1918,  under  the  supervi- 
sion of  Chaplain  Davis,  an  entertainment  was  given  in 
Inverness  by  the  men  of  the  American  navy  to  the  offi- 
cers and  men  of  the  British  navy.  It  was  felt  by  all 
present  to  be  a  significant  event,  coming  as  it  did  on 
Independence  Day,  and  its  result  was  to  create  a 
splendid  spirit  of  cooperation  between  the  navies  of 
the  English-speaking  peoples.  It  is  also  interesting  to 
note,  that  in  this  entire  mine-laying  operation  the 
American  and  British  navies  worked  side  by  side. 

Chaplain  Davis  was  detached  from  his  ship  for  a 
short  time  by  Admiral  Sims  and  was  instrumental  in 
helping  establish  Christian  Science  Welfare  Rooms 
at  various  naval  bases  in  the  British  Isles.  The  room 
maintained  at  Inverness,  Scotland,  one  of  the  bases 
of  the  mine-layers,  was  much  enjoyed  by  the  Ameri- 
can sailors  and  was  crowded  to  overflowing  during  the 
influenza  epidemic  at  a  time  when  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  hut 

820 


TIMELY  RECOGNITION 

was  closed  by  quarantine.  Of  the  opening  of  this  room 
the  chaplain  wrote  as  follows: 

"On  Sunday,  September  29,  we  held  the  first  service  in  the 
Rooms.  We  had  a  sweet  and  simple  service  in  accordance  with 
the  Manual.  At  the  invitation  of  the  Welfare  Workers  I 
acted  as  First  Reader  and  Mrs.  S.  as  Second. 

"This  is  the  first  Christian  Science  service  ever  held  in 
Inverness,  the  largest  town  in  northern  Scotland,  and  of 
course  we  know  that  this  first  public  declaration  of  the  Truth 
is  the  most  important  thing  that  has  ever  happened  in  this 
ancient  town." 

When  the  armistice  was  signed  and  the  fleet  in- 
spected previous  to  its  departure  for  home,  the 
Christian  Scientists  were  interested  to  hear  that  the 
health  record  of  their  squadron  was  the  finest  that  had 
ever  been  known  for  any  organization,  naval  or  mili- 
tary. On  board  the  U.  S.  S.  Roanoke,  also,  not  a  single 
case  of  influenza  was  reported  during  the  epidemic. 

Before  sailing  for  America,  the  Christian  Science 
chaplain  conducted  a  party  of  some  twenty  men  to 
London.  These  American  lads  were  guests  at  the 
Christian  Science  Welfare  House  at  112  Eaton 
Square  and  received  a  welcome  which  they  will  prob- 
ably never  forget.  On  the  home  trip  the  U.  S.  S. 
Roanoke  was  rammed  in  a  fog  off  the  coast  of  New- 
foundland, and  although  laden  with  TNT,  the  mines 
had  been  moved  the  day  previous  from  the  very 
spot  where  the  boat  was  struck.  She  was  able  to  make 
her  port  in  safety  and  sailed  into  Hampton  Roads  in 
December,  1918. 

Chaplain  Davis  was  later  transferred  to  the  U.  S.  S. 
Supply,  which  was  the  flagship  of  the  Train  Atlantic 
Fleet,  whose  duty  it  is  to  supply  the  Grand  Fleet  with 
all  of  its  necessities.  Christian  Science  services  were 

321 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

conducted  aboard  the  Supply  and  the  chaplain  was 
kept  busy  attending  to  the  wants  of  his  men.  Chap- 
lain Davis  was  later  transferred  to  the  U.  S.  S.  Co- 
lumbia. 

That  the  work  of  the  Christian  Science  chaplains 
more  than  justified  their  appointments  there  is  no 
doubt.  The  grateful  expressions  from  the  many  men 
to  whose  spiritual  and  material  needs  they  ministered 
is  ample  proof  of  this.  In  addition,  the  friendly  rela- 
tionship which  they  have  established  and  maintained 
with  chaplains  of  other  denominations  and  with 
representatives  of  the  medical  profession  did  much 
to  sweep  away  opposition  to  Christian  Science  and 
break  down  barriers  of  misconception.  Our  chaplains 
proved  themselves  to  be  real  Christian  soldiers. 


322 


IX 
FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

A  WORD  FROM  THE  TREASURER  OF 
THE  MOTHER  CHURCH 

In  October,  1914,  the  War  Relief  Fund  of  The 
Mother  Church  was  opened  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
Christian  Scientists  who  were  suffering  as  a  direct 
result  of  the  war.  In  addition  thereto  the  European 
Relief  Fund  was  opened  in  December,  1914,  to  assist 
those  who  were  not  Christian  Scientists.  These  two 
funds  were  consolidated  in  April,  1915,  from  which 
date,  until  the  present  time,  relief  was  extended 
to  those  in  need,  without  regard  to  their  religious 
affiliations. 

As  appropriations  from  the  War  Relief  Fund  were 
made  to  various  countries  in  Europe,  including  Ger- 
many, prior  to  the  United  States  entering  the  war  in 
April,  1917,  British  subjects  were  estopped  by  their 
Government  from  contributing  to  such  a  fund.  In 
order  that  contributions  might  properly  be  received 
from  them,  a  Special  War  Relief  Fund  was  provided 
early  in  1917,  but  before  any  appropriations  could  be 
made  therefrom,  it  was  merged  with  the  War  Relief 
Fund  upon  the  removal  of  such  restriction. 

With  the  entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the 
war,  the  great  opportunity  presented  itself  of  min- 
istering to  the  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the 

323 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

men  in  the  army  and  navy  service.  To  provide  ade- 
quately the  funds  needed  for  carrying  on  this  work, 
the  field  was  invited  to  contribute  to  the  Christian 
Science  Camp  Welfare  Fund,  which  was  formally 
opened  on  January  3, 1918.  As  the  broad  purpose  and 
essential  unity  of  the  War  Relief  work  in  all  its 
phases  became  more  clearly  understood,  it  was  deemed 
advisable  by  the  Christian  Science  Board  of  Di- 
rectors to  consolidate  this  fund  with  the  War  Relief 
Fund,  which  was  effected  on  March  25,  1918,  under 
the  name  of  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Fund. 

In  the  interim,  a  special  fund  was  opened  to  which 
contributions  were  received  for  Halifax  Relief,  which 
money  was  paid  into,  and  appropriations  made  from, 
the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Fund,  for  the  spe- 
cific purpose  of  relieving  those  suffering  from  the 
disaster  in  Halifax,  in  December,  1917. 

Including  the  sum  of  $34,000  contributed  for  Hali- 
fax Relief,  the  total  contributions  for  War  Relief 
from  the  beginning  to  the  formal  closing  of  the  fund 
on  June  2,  1919,  were  $1,988,000.  Receipts  from 
interest  on  daily  bank  balances  and  on  United  States 
Liberty  Bonds  purchased  when  there  was  an  ample 
balance  on  hand  to  permit  of  this  being  done, 
amounted  to  $16,000,  which  made  a  full  $2,000,000 
available  for  War  Relief. 

Among  the  larger  appropriations  for  direct  relief 
in  Europe  were  the  following:  Switzerland  $75,000, 
Italy  $42,000,  Holland  $29,000,  Germany  $68,000. 
All  of  this  money  was  distributed  directly  to  the 
recipients  by  the  War  Relief  Committees  of  The 
Mother  Church,  who  carefully  investigated  each  case 
before  relief  was  extended,  and  who  performed  this 

324 


FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

service  with  unstinted  devotion  and  without  financial 
compensation. 

As  the  needs  became  clearly  apparent,  additional 
appropriations  in  varying  amounts  were  made  to 
Armenia,  Syria,  Belgium,  Poland,  Roumania,  Serbia, 
Lithuania,  Russia,  Turkey  in  Asia,  Jamaica,  Aus- 
tralia, Canada  and  Mexico,  totaling  $88,000. 

The  larger  appropriations  of  $186,000  to  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland,  and  $214,000  to  France,  included 
not  only  the  relief  extended  in  these  countries  during 
the  earlier  part  of  the  war  through  the  Committees 
of  The  Mother  Church  therein,  but  also  the  direct 
assistance  given  to  the  men  in  the  service,  the  conduct- 
ing of  the  special  Reading  Rooms  established  for  their 
use,  the  salaries  and  expenses  of  the  War  Relief 
Workers,  and  to  an  extent  the  distribution  of  Chris- 
tian Science  literature. 

Remembering  the  paramount  consideration  of  win- 
ning the  war  for  Principle,  and  the  necessity  of  accom- 
plishing this  result  in  the  most  effective  manner 
through  equipping  the  men  in  the  army  and  navy 
for  the  great  task  before  them,  demands  were  made 
upon  the  War  Relief  Fund  for  the  supplying  of 
Bibles,  copies  of  Science  and  Health  and  of  The 
Christian  Science  Monitor,  pamphlets  and  other  au- 
thorized Christian  Science  literature,  to  the  amount  of 
$323,000.  In  the  effort  to  accomplish  fully  the  great 
purpose  in  hand,  workers  were  employed  for  the  va- 
rious camps,  and  ports  of  embarkation ;  welfare  build- 
ings, and  other  reading  and  rest  rooms  in  convenient 
locations,  were  provided;  and  also  such  automobiles 
and  other  facilities  as  were  needed  for  carrying  on  the 
work;  all  of  which  required  a  further  expenditure  of 

325 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

$627,000,  the  major  portion  thereof  being  disbursed 
in  the  United  States.  This  sum  includes  also  the  sal- 
aries paid  to  the  Christian  Science  chaplains  in  the 
service, — which  were  additional  to  the  amounts  re- 
ceived by  them  from  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment,— as  well  as  the  cost  of  the  general  administra- 
tion of  the  work  as  a  whole. 

Still  another  large  appropriation  was  that  of 
$111,000  to  the  Comforts  Forwarding  Committee 
(Christian  Scientists),  in  Boston,  whose  efforts  were 
directed  primarily  to  the  provision  of  clothing  impera- 
tively needed  by  refugees,  especially  women  and  chil- 
dren, and  of  knitted  garments  for  the  men  in  the 
military  and  naval  service.  Additional  to  this  sum 
were  the  many  contributions,  totaling  a  substantial 
amount,  made  by  Christian  Scientists  to  the  many 
Comforts  Forwarding  Committees  elsewhere,  for  the 
carrying  on  of  their  work.  Besides  the  total  funds 
thus  made  available  for  this  practical  phase  of  War 
Relief,  hundreds  of  Workers  in  the  field  gave  their 
time  freely  and  lovingly  to  this  beneficent  activity. 

Including  balance  on  hand  June  2,  1919, — since 
which  date  no  contributions  have  been  accepted, — and 
proceeds  from  sale  of  equipment,  there  remains  a  bal- 
ance of  $242,000  in  cash  and  bonds  for  continuing 
refugee  and  reconstruction  work. 

Christian  Scientists  may  well  rejoice  in  the  genuine 
relief  afforded,  and  the  manifest  healing  of  fear,  limi- 
tation, and  distress,  both  physical  and  mental,  accom- 
plished on  every  hand  through  the  compassionate 
ministrations  of  Christian  Science,  in  acknowledg- 
ment of  which  many  voluntary  testimonials  have  been 
received,  a  few  being  given  in  other  chapters  of  this 
report. 

326 


FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

Deeply  grateful  for  the  prompt,  continuous  and 
loving  contributions  by  Christian  Scientists  to  the 
War  Relief  Fund  established  by  The  Mother  Church 
in  evidence  of  the  "practical  Christianity"  to  which 
our  revered  Leader  refers  in  Science  and  Health 
(page  224-22),  we  are  reminded  of  her  beautiful  and 
inspiring  statement  on  page  518  therein: 

"The  rich  in  spirit  help  the  poor  in  one  grand  brother- 
hood, all  having  the  same  Principle,  or  Father;  and  blessed 
is  that  man  who  seeth  his  brother's  need  and  supplieth  it, 
seeking  his  own  in  another's  good.  Love  giveth  to  the  least 
spiritual  idea  might,  immortality,  and  goodness,  which  shine 
through  all  as  the  blossom  shines  through  the  bud.  All  the 
varied  expressions  of  God  reflect  health,  holiness,  immor- 
tality— infinite  Life,  Truth,  and  Love." 

Where  did  these  large  sums  of  money  come  from, 
and  why  did  the  contributions  to  the  War  Relief  Fund 
pour  into  the  Treasurer's  Office  so  generously,  so 
steadily  and  so  abundantly?  Perhaps  the  following 
excerpts  from  letters  will  best  answer  these  questions. 

A  Grand  Army  man  helps  the  boys  of  today : 

"On  my  way  to  Hampton  the  other  day  I  noticed  a  Chris- 
tian Science  wagon  on  the  road  being  used  for  the  benefit  of 
the  military  in  this  neighborhood.  Enclosed  please  find  check 
for  the  Christian  Science  organization  to  be  used  for  our 
boys  in  the  United  States  service." 

The  children  of  an  Alaska  Sunday  School  have  a 
part  in  the  work: 

"The  children  of  our  Sunday  School  ask  you  to  kindly 
accept  this  amount  as  their  contribution  toward  supplying 
literature  for  the  boys  at  the  front." 

327 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

A  little  boy  adds  his  savings : 

"Enclosed  find  check  for  $15  with  love  and  gratitude  for 
all  the  unfoldment  of  Truth  which  this  beautiful  work  is 
doing.  I  am  only  a  little  boy  of  ten  years  but  I  know  what 
Christian  Science  means  at  this  time  to  our  brave  boys.  This 
is  just  a  little  of  my  savings." 

The  Busy  Bee  Fund  bears  compound  interest: 

"I  am  enclosing  the  check  I  mentioned   (from  the  Busy 

Bee  Fund)  to  pay  for  the  Bible  and  if  you  can  use  the  small 

remainder  I  shall  be  very  happy." 

Some  unorganized  Scientists  send  their  share: 
"We  had  a  beautiful  service  in  my  home  in  the  mountains 
of  Virginia,  Sunday,  October  20.  Nine  were  present.  En- 
closed find  check  for  $20  which  this  household  sends  as  a 
'Thank  Offering'  for  the  many  blessings  received  through 
the  understanding  of  Christian  Science." 

Some  soldiers  in  Eagle  Pass,  Texas,  forward  their 
collection: 

"Enclosed  find  one  Postal  Money  Order  for  $5,  this  being 
the  amount  collected  at  our  Sunday  services  to  be  used  for 
the  Camp  Welfare  Fund.  It  is  only  a  small  token  of  our 
gratitude  for  many  benefits  received  but  it  is  joyfully  given." 

A  soldier's  gratitude  for  healing: 

"I  am  indeed  grateful  for  the  healing  received  and  enclose 
a  small  check  to  be  used  so  that  Science  and  Health  may  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  other  boys." 

A  Students'  Association  gives  the  Fund  its  loyal 
support : 

"Enclosed  please  find  check  for  one  hundred  dollars  made 
out  to  the  Treasurer  of  The  Mother  Church  which  amount 
is  a  contribution  to  the  Camp  Welfare  Fund  by  the  Students' 
Association  of  Mrs.  S." 

328 


FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

An  English  soldier  sends  Christmas  greetings: 
"I  should  like  to  contribute  the  enclosed  as  a  token  this 

Christmas  of  my  gratitude  for  all  that  I  owe  to  Christian 

Science  during  the  last  five  years." 

"Before  they  call  I  will  answer": 

"I  am  enclosing  a  small  contribution  to  the  War  Relief 
and  Camp  Welfare  Fund.  I  wish  to  assure  you  that  I  appre- 
ciate this  great  work  for  the  soldiers.  I  wrote  you  that  my 
son  was  in  a  hospital  in  France,  hoping  you  could  send  help 
to  him,  but  already  your  Workers  had  visited  him,  as  he 
said,  bringing  joy  and  hope.  They  supplied  him  with  Moni- 
tors, Sentinels  and  Journals  and  gave  him  free  treatment." 

From  an  eyewitness  of  our  work: 

"It  gives  me  great  pleasure,  in  which  my  wife  joins  me,  to 
send  our  little  mite  to  the  fund  that  is  doing  such  wonderful 
work.  We  had  the  privilege  of  visiting  several  training  camps 
in  the  south  and  southwest  and  it  filled  our  hearts  with  joy 
to  see  the  Camp  Welfare  hut  and  automobiles  carrying  the 
Truth  to  all.  We  have  seen  several  soldiers  lying  on  the 
ground  reading  the  little  vest-pocket  edition  of  Science  and 
Health  by  our  Leader." 

Upon  receiving  word  from  France : 

"Please  accept  my  most  heartfelt  thanks  for  your  efficient 
and  comforting  work  with  regard  to  my  brother.  I  was  told 
by  a  member  of  the  Home  Service  of  the  Red  Cross  that  the 
reply  was  in  her  experience  almost  unprecedented  in  its 
quickness.  You  will  find  enclosed  a  check  for  ten  dollars,  five 
of  which  is  to  pay  for  the  cable  and  the  other  as  a  thank 
offering." 

True  reciprocity  from  a  soldier  in  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces: 

"I  am  sending  subscription  price  for  all  Christian  Science 
periodicals,  the  Christian  Science  Quarterly,  and  Science  and 

329 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Health  printed  in  alternate  French  and  English.  I  am  being 
greatly  helped  every  day  by  the  articles  in  the  Monitor  and 
Journal  and  wish  as  many  others  as  possible  to  have  the  same 
privilege." 

In  appreciation  of  good  news  by  cable : 

"Your  kind  and  welcome  letter  received  a  few  days  ago. 
Also  your  cable,  and  appreciated  it  so  much — in  fact,  I 
hardly  know  how  to  thank  }rou  for  your  kindness.  Here  is  a 
small  sum  for  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Fund.  Would 
be  glad  if  I  could  send  fifty  times  this  amount." 

A  birthday  gift  to  the  fund: 

"Enclosed  please  find  one  dollar  for  your  work.  I  am 
eighty-four  today  and  this  dollar  was  given  me  for  a  birth- 
day present.  I  wish  I  were  sending  eighty- four  dollars." 

A  corporal  in  France  appreciates  the  War  Relief 
Room: 

"Enclosed  in  this  letter  is  a  check  for  $25  to  be  drawn 
against  my  New  York  bank.  It  is  difficult  to  find  words  of 
appreciation  for  the  wonderful  kindness,  aid,  comfort  and 
joy  experienced  in  these  rooms.  They  are  the  first  hours  of 
real  satisfaction  passed  in  France." 

"An  offering  pure  of  Love"  (Poems,  page  13)  : 

"Enclosed  find  money  order  for  two  dollars  lovingly  given 
for  War  Relief  and  Camp  Welfare  work.  I  wish  it  could  be 
more,  but  more  will  follow.  I  am  a  widow,  earning  my  own 
living  and  have  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  of  giving  my  baby 
boy  to  his  country.  He  passed  over  in  the  battle  of  Soissons, 
July  19,  1918.  Surely,  'greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this, 
that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends.'  I  am  so  thankful 
for  the  blessed  understanding  I  have  of  Christian  Science  and 
love  and  reverence  Our  Leader  more  every  day  because  she 
gave  this  'Key  to  the  Scriptures'  to  needy  humanity." 

330 


X 

UNSELFISH  LABOR  RICHLY 
REWARDED 

In  the  foregoing  pages  the  outstanding  features  of 
the  activity  of  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Com- 
mittee have  been  described.  Into  this  final  chapter 
have  been  gathered  together  various  letters  and  re- 
ports from  individals,  all  indicative  of  some  phase  of 
the  good  accomplished.  To  make  a  complete  estimate 
of  such  a  work  is,  of  course,  an  impossible  task  and 
these  points  are  submitted  only  as  indications  of  what 
has  developed  and  may  be  expected  to  develop  from 
the  seed  sown  by  the  War  Relief  Committee. 

First  in  interest,  perhaps,  to  Christian  Scientists 
is  the  great  mass  of  evidence  accumulated  to  show  the 
physical  healings  resulting  from  the  application  of 
Christian  Science  to  the  treatment  of  disease.  Some 
of  these  healings  were  brought  about  by  the  minis- 
trations of  War  Relief  Workers,  some  by  the  efforts 
of  soldier  Scientists  in  their  own  behalf  or  in  behalf 
of  comrades. 

The  first  duty  of  the  Welfare  Workers  was  natu- 
rally to  Christian  Scientists  although  they  by  no  means 
limited  their  attention  to  these  men.  The  group  of 
testimonials  which  follow  are  expressions  from  Chris- 
tian Scientists  in  the  service  to  whom  our  Workers 
were  able  to  be  of  assistance. 

331 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"In  loving  gratitude  to  God,  and  to  Mrs.  Eddy,  the  inter- 
preter of  the  beautiful  teachings  of  Christ  Jesus,  I  wish  to 
tell  of  the  many  benefits  which  I  have  received  through 
Christian  Science  since  entering  the  army.  Almost  every  day 
for  the  past  eighteen  months  it  has  required  the  conscientious 
study  of  our  textbook  and  the  Bible  to  meet  the  seeming 
problems  which  have  presented  themselves. 

"I  am  happy  to  say  that  my  redeemer  in  every  instance 
has  proved  to  be  the  practical  application  of  the  words  of 
Jesus,  'Ye  shall  know  the  truth  and  the  truth  shall  make 
you  free.' 

"I  wish  to  tell  of  one  incident  which  especially  proved  to 
me  the  ever-present  help  of  divine  Love.  I  was  doing  guard 
duty  at  one  of  our  flying  fields,  and  one  day  I  felt  a  bit  resent- 
ful for  having  to  stand  guard  for  three  hour  periods  which 
I  thought  was  a  little  too  long  for  any  one  person.  That 
night  during  my  watch  from  12  to  3  I  became  suddenly  ill. 
I  tried  my  best  to  realize  the  Scientific  Statement  of  Being 
as  given  on  page  468  of  our  textbook,  but  I  soon  reached  a 
state  where  I  was  almost  unconscious.  When  the  guard  relief 
arrived  I  was  assisted  to  the  squadron  and  when  morning 
arrived  I  had  been  taken  to  the  Post  Hospital.  After  an 
examination  by  the  medical  officer  I  was  told  that  I  was 
suffering  from  a  case  of  acute  ptomaine  poisoning. 

"I  had  been  hurried  away  to  the  hospital  without  a  bit  of 
Christian  Science  literature,  to  say  nothing  of  my  Science 
and  Health,  Quarterly  and  Bible.  I  realized  that  this  was 
no  place  for  me  and  that  I  must  do  my  work  in  Science  the 
best  I  knew  how. 

"This  all  happened  on  a  Friday  night.  On  the  following 
Sunday,  the  Camp  Welfare  Worker  missed  me,  as  I  was 
never  absent  unless  he  had  received  word  in  advance.  Having 
inquired  for  me  at  the  squadron  the  Worker  soon  located  me 
at  the  hospital  and  found  me  there  early  the  following  Mon- 
day morning.  I  was  so  happy  when  I  saw  him  appear  in  the 
doorway,  looking  here  and  there  for  someone  and  knowing 

382 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

that  the  someone  was  myself.  I  immediately  asked  for  some 
Science  literature  and  he  thereupon  went  back  to  his  car  and 
brought  me  a  Journal  and  some  Sentinels. 

"I  realized  how  much  better  I  felt  after  he  had  spoken  to 
me,  and  had  given  me  some  good  things  to  think  about.  I 
told  him  that  I  expected  to  be  out  of  the  hospital  by  the 
middle  of  the  following  week,  but  he  only  smiled  and  said 
nothing.  That  smile  and  the  thoughts  he  gave  me  resulted 
in  my  being  discharged  the  following  morning  perfectly  well. 
It  was  indeed  a  lesson  to  me  to  guard  my  thoughts  as  well 
as  the  'Government  property  in  view.' 

"Since  that  time  I  have  had  many  remarkable  experiences 
showing  the  efficacy  of  Christian  Science  when  its  teachings 
are  honestly  practiced.  The  literature,  consisting  of  the 
Monitor,  Sentinel  and  Journal,  has  always  been  most  wel- 
come to  the  boys  in  the  service,  and  how  eager  were  those 
who  knew  nothing  of  Science  for  that  wonderful  and  remark- 
able daily,  'The  Christian  Science  Monitor.'  In  my  training 
as  a  pilot  I  have  never  had  a  thought  of  fear  and  my  work 
has  gone  on  with  much  satisfaction,  not  only  to  myself  but 
to  my  instructors  as  well.  I  am  grateful  for  having  had  the 
privilege  of  being  a  reader  at  several  of  our  army  camps 
during  the  war,  and  it  has  given  me  an  invaluable  and  helpful 
experience. 

"I  am  indeed  grateful  for  all  that  Christian  Science  has 
done  for  me,  and  only  by  loving  obedience  to  our  revered 
Leader's  admonitions  and  by  following  the  teachings  of  our 
textbook  can  I  show  my  sense  of  gratitude. 

"Cadet  Alfred  P.  Pearson, 

"Ellington  Field,  Houston,  Texas." 

"As  testimonial  to  the  exceedingly  good  work  a  Christian 
Science  Welfare  Worker  did  for  me  I  wish  to  relate  my 
experience  at  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

"In  the  first  place,  I  was  flying  every  day,  averaging  about 
three  hours   a  day.   This   lasted   for   approximately   seven 

333 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

months.  All  of  this  time,  through  the  guidance  of  one  of  the 
Welfare  Workers  and  the  help  of  the  literature  I  was  en- 
abled not  only  to  have  a  clean  record  as  instructor  but  also 
to  accomplish  my  work  without  accident  of  any  kind. 

"Last  fall,  during  the  'flu'  epidemic,  I  became  suddenly 
ill.  The  day  before  I  became  unconscious,  some  Science  lit- 
erature was  handed  me,  with  the  Welfare  Worker's  name 
enclosed.  I  refused  medicine  of  any  kind,  and  called  on  the 
Welfare  Worker  for  help.  The  next  day  I  was  forcibly  taken 
to  the  hospital  and  passed  almost  immediately  into  uncon- 
sciousness. The  Welfare  Worker  was  with  me  every  day  and 
several  nights  practically  all  night. 

"It  was  at  a  critical  stage,  when  the  army  surgeon  at  the 
hospital  said  I  could  not  live  until  a  certain  hour.  They  had 
done  absolutely  all  they  could,  and  told  my  parents  that  I 
would  probably  be  dead  within  a  few  hours.  This  condition 
lasted  for  over  a  day.  The  Worker  brought  me  back  into 
sunshine  and  life  again,  staying  constantly  with  me. 

"The  case  was  considered  a  very  peculiar  one  in  the  hos- 
pital, and  the  surgeon  predicted  all  kinds  of  after  effects, 
none  of  which  developed,  nor  ever  will,  for  this  experience 
has  shown  me  thoroughly  what  Science  is  and  what  it  will  do 
for  one. 

"I  trust  that  this  will  be  of  some  service  and  help  to  those 
in  need  of  it.  Words  fail  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the 
wonderful  help  Science  has  been  to  me  through  the  Welfare 
Workers  at  this  camp. 

"William  Huttig,  Jr., 

"Kansas  City,  Mo." 

"While  training  at  one  of  the  large  army  camps  I  became 
very  ill.  I  was  first  sent  to  the  camp  hospital  and  then  to  the 
base  hospital,  where  the  trouble  was  diagnosed  as  tuber- 
culosis. My  condition  gradually  grew  worse,  and  the  surgeon 
in  charge  notified  my  parents  that  my  condition  was  serious. 

"My  mother  wrote  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Work- 
ers, who  visited  me  ut  once,  leaving  a  copy  of  the  textbook, 

334- 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

Science  and  Health  with  Key  to  the  Scriptures,  by  Mrs. 
Eddy,  and  some  other  literature. 

"After  careful  reading  of  this  literature  I  began  to  see 
the  truth.  My  condition  was  so  improved  in  two  days  that  I 
was  allowed  to  put  on  my  clothes  and  walk  around.  The  hos- 
pital authorities  changed  the  diagnosis  of  the  case  and  made 
the  record  show  that  it  was  some  kind  of  fever.  In  two  weeks 
I  was  entirely  well  and  felt  as  strong  as  ever,  and  was  dis- 
charged from  the  hospital. 

"The  second  day  out  of  the  hospital  I  rode  my  horse  on  a 
thirty-mile  hike  with  no  ill  effects  whatever. 

"I  am  indeed  grateful  for  my  knowledge  of  Christian 
Science,  and  wish  to  express  my  sincere  thanks  to  those 
Christian  Scientists  who  helped  me  find  the  right  road. 

"Warken  R.  Whitehead, 

"Brownwood,  Texas." 

"Upon  several  occasions  during  my  service  of  over  a  year 
in  the  army  I  found  it  necessary  to  call  upon  a  Christian 
Science  War  Relief  Worker  for  help  and  it  is  my  desire  to 
relate  a  couple  of  incidents  wherein  I  did  receive  help  and 
to  express  my  sincere  gratitude  both  to  the  Worker  and  to 
the  organization. 

"At  the  time  of  my  enlistment,  I  was  still  unable  to  over- 
come entirely  the  belief  that  I  was  not  in  perfect  condition 
and  was  somewhat  afraid  that  I  would  be  unable  to  pass  so 
rigid  an  examination  as  is  required  in  order  to  be  accepted 
as  candidate  for  commission  in  the  Air  Service. 

"After  talking  with  a  Welfare  Worker  at  Omaha  and 
being  assured  by  him  that  he  would  help  me,  I  felt  entirely 
different  about  myself  and  appeared  before  the  examining 
board  full  of  confidence.  To  make  a  short  story  of  it,  I  did 
pass  the  examination  and  was  pronounced  physically  perfect 
by  all  the  doctors  present  and  was  accepted. 

"Soon  after  reporting  for  duty,  all  men  were  vaccinated 
and  inoculated.  My  second  inoculation  seemed  to  cause  a 
high  fever  and,  receiving  a  pass  on  the  following  day,  I  went 

335 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

home  and  went  to  bed.  At  the  same  time  the  influenza  mani- 
fested itself,  and  at  times  during  the  first  night  in  bed  I  was 
delirious.  The  next  morning  the  Welfare  Worker  called  and 
soon  after  he  arrived  I  responded  to  his  treatment  and  went 
to  sleep.  When  I  awakened  the  fever  had  subsided  and  I  was 
much  better.  Next  morning  the  authorities  at  the  Post  in- 
formed us  that  the  ambulance  was  coming  out  and  would 
take  me  to  the  hospital,  which  was  of  course  against  my 
wishes.  But  personal  desires  amount  to  very  little  in  the 
army.  I  was  kept  in  the  hospital  and  by  the  next  morning 
was  perfectly  well,  but  I  had  a  hard  time  convincing  the 
doctors  of  this,  for  they  wanted  to  keep  me  in  a  few  days 
longer.  At  about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning  I  called  up 
the  Welfare  Worker  and  asked  him  to  help  me  with  this 
problem.  However,  later  the  same  morning  the  sergeant  came 
to  me,  saying  that  the  doctors  had  decided  I  could  go  back 
to  the  barracks. 

"All  through  my  two  ground  courses  and  the  flying  course, 
God,  through  my  knowledge  of  Him  as  taught  in  Christian 
Science,  was  an  ever-present  help  and  I  know  I  could  not 
have  come  through  it  all  so  well  as  I  did,  without  this  aid. 

"Soon  after  receiving  my  commission  I  was  assigned  to  a 
company  and  was  ordered  overseas.  Naturally  it  was  hard 
to  leave  my  wife  and  child,  but  with  the  help  we  received 
through  the  Welfare  Worker  we  saw  that  everything  was 
for  the  best  and  we  felt  confident  that  we  would  be  united 
again  and  would  be  taken  care  of  during  our  separation. 

"Many  others  received  the  same  help  as  I  did  through  the 
Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  and  it  certainly 
has  proved  to  be  a  wonderful  organization.  I  have  command 
of  no  words  with  which  to  express  my  gratitude  to  God  and 
to  Christian  Science  for  the  many  benefits  and  blessings  I 
received  before  my  entry  into  the  army,  during  my  service 
and  since  my  return  to  civil  life. 

"Jeee  Van  Rensselaer,  Jr., 

"Lincoln,  Nebraska." 
336 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

"I  wish  to  express  my  gratitude  for  the  blessings  I  enjoy 
because  Christian  Science  has  entered  into  my  experience. 
For  the  past  twelve  years,  I  have  relied  entirely  upon  Chris- 
tian Science  as  my  physician.  However,  while  in  the  service 
of  the  government,  though  I  was  inoculated  and  vaccinated 
a  number  of  times,  because  this  was  compulsory  under  medi- 
cal regulations,  I  was  never  affected  by  these  operations  as 
I  knew  no  harm  could  result  to  God's  idea,  since  man  in  His 
image  and  likeness,  needed  no  serums  of  any  sort  to  sustain 
perfect  health,  because  perfection  is  the  natural  order  of 
man's  being.  The  sergeant  who  gave  me  the  last  shot  seemed 
somewhat  annoyed  because  the  previous  shots  failed  to  take 
effect,  so  he  pushed  the  needle  fully  a  half  inch  into  the  flesh 
of  my  arm,  remarking  as  he  did  so,  'I  know  you  feel  that 
anyway.'  Though  the  mark  is  still  visible  on  the  arm,  it  is 
perfectly  healed  over,  and  no  ill  effects  followed  from  this 
treatment. 

"During  the  period  when  a  number  of  the  men  in  Van- 
couver Barracks,  Washington,  were  under  medical  treatment, 
suffering  because  of  the  epidemic,  I  had  listened  to  so  much 
talk  of  the  disease  that  I  was  caught  napping,  for  I  was  not 
standing  'porter  at  the  door  of  thought'  (Science  and  Health, 
page  392),  and  as  a  result  there  was  evidenced  the  symptoms 
of  the  'flu'  in  all  its  fury.  I  tried  for  two  days  to  overcome 
it,  but  on  the  third  day  it  seemed  that  a  trip  to  the  hospital 
was  inevitable.  I  managed  to  get  away  from  the  tent  and 
found  a  Camp  Worker  who  talked  with  me  for  an  hour  and 
a  half  and  made  clear  to  me  the  thought  that  God  gave  man 
dominion  over  all  error  and  therefore  I  was  the  master  over 
any  evil  that  tried  to  attack  me,  and  he  held  this  thought  so 
firmly  that  I  was  suddenly  freed  from  all  discord  and  re- 
turned to  camp  rejoicing  and  slept  well  all  night.  I  ate  very 
heartily  at  breakfast  and  resumed  my  duties  as  acting  mess 
sergeant. 

"The  many  blessings  I  enjoyed  through  the  efforts  of  the 
War  Relief  Committee  of  the  Christian  Science  movement 

337 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

will  ever  remain  a  fond  recollection  never  to  be  blotted  out. 
The  free  distribution  of  literature,  especially  The  Christian 
Science  Monitor,  that  wonderful  paper  disseminating  the 
constructive  news  of  the  world,  is  a  source  of  much  gratitude. 
"Christian  Science  is  surely  my  greatest  possession. 

"August  Brauns, 
"Portland,  Oregon." 

"On  the  evening  of  May  3,  1918,  while  cranking  a  car,  the 
engine  kicked  and  broke  my  right  arm  at  the  wrist.  The 
shock  was  so  severe  that  I  lost  consciousness  for  a  few 
moments  and  was  taken  into  the  Christian  Science  Camp 
Welfare  building,  where  I  was  given  immediate  attention  by 
the  Worker. 

"After  I  had  recovered  from  the  first  shock  I  was  taken 
to  the  infirmary  and  had  the  bone  set.  Later,  permission  was 
given  me  to  remain  at  the  Welfare  building  all  night.  Much 
work  was  done  for  me  that  night  and  in  the  morning  the 
sergeant  who  dressed  the  arm  told  me  that  I  was  making 
such  excellent  progress  that  the  splints  could  be  taken  off 
in  a  couple  of  days.  The  surgeon  said  the  arm  was  doing 
splendidly  but  the  splints  must  remain  for  seven  weeks,  as 
that  was  the  customary  time. 

"On  the  fourth  night  the  splints  came  off  during  my  sleep 
and  in  the  morning  I  arose  and  dressed  myself,  using  the 
arm  that  had  been  broken  without  being  conscious  of  it.  I 
slipped  my  arm  back  into  the  splints  and  reported  for  exami- 
nation but  did  not  tell  the  surgeon  that  the  splints  had  come 
off  and  that  I  was  able  to  use  my  arm.  He  commented  upon 
the  excellent  progress  I  was  making  but  insisted  that  the 
splints  be  worn  for  several  weeks  more. 

"I  was  confident  that  my  arm  was  healed  and  used  to 
amuse  the  men  at  the  Welfare  Room  by  waving  my  arm, 
splints  and  all,  in  the  air  when  they  would  ask  how  I  was 
progressing.  It  was  apparent  to  everyone  that  my  arm  was 
well  and  I  know  that  I  could  have  used  it  in  the  regular  way 
had  the  surgeon  permitted  me  to  remove  the  splints. 

338 


The  Tent  used  in  Camp  Hancock,  Georgia,  before  Building 
was  constructed 


At  Camp  Beauregard,  Louisiana 

T 


-._ 


A  War  Relief  Tent,  Ellington  Field,  Houston,  Texas 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

"Three  days  after  the  splints  were  removed  I  was  doing 
typing  for  the  officer  in  charge.  In  fact,  three  days  after 
the  arm  was  broken  I  was  using  the  typewriter  although 
under  difficulty  because  of  the  splints. 

"After  the  first  week  no  treatments  were  given  because 
we  were  confident  that  the  healing  was  accomplished.  For 
this  demonstration,  as  well  as  for  a  great  many  others,  I 
owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  Christian  Science. 

"George  H.  Anderson, 

"Sgt.,  Quartermasters'  Corps." 

"I  am  indeed  most  grateful  for  all  the  good  that  has  come 
to  me  through  the  study  of  Christian  Science.  At  this  time 
I  am  particularly  grateful  for  the  great  work  that  has  been 
done  for  us  who  have  been  in  service. 

"I  was  stationed  at  Camp  Johnston,  Jacksonville,  Florida, 
and  during  my  stay  there,  the  love  and  loyalty  of  the  Chris- 
tian Science  Welfare  Workers  brought  to  me  an  under- 
standing of  joy  and  peace  that  I  had  never  before  thought 
it  possible  to  possess. 

"One  day  there  seemed  to  be  with  me  a  sense  of  being 
without  my  usual  strength,  which  became  more  and  more 
marked  as  the  day  passed,  until  in  the  evening  I  was  indeed 
in  great  distress.  Not  realizing  the  need  for  immediate  work, 
I  did  not  ask  for  help  until  I  had  retired,  and  after  'lights 
out'  I  realized  that  I  was  very  quickly  losing  all  control  of 
my  body.  I  was  unable  to  raise  either  my  arms  or  legs.  It 
happened  that  the  boy  who  was  next  to  me  was  a  Scientist, 
so  I  asked  him  to  dress  and  telephone  to  the  Welfare  Worker 
in  Jacksonville  for  help.  He  did  so  but  before  his  return  I 
had  also  lost  my  voice  and  was  unable  to  thank  him.  I  remem- 
ber his  return  but  in  the  darkness  he  was  not  able  to  see  that 
I  was  still  awake,  and  as  I  could  neither  move  nor  talk,  he 
supposed  me  to  be  sleeping  and  went  to  bed  once  more.  I 
was,  however,  very  much  awake  but  paralyzed  by  fear.  I 

339 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

remember  nothing  more  until  the  bugle  sounded  in  the  morn- 
ing, waking  me,  and  I  was  perfectly  healed. 

"A  few  weeks  later  I  was  called  to  my  home  in  Canada, 
where  my  mother  was  passing  out  under  medical  treatment. 
My  grief  and  the  sense  of  separation,  together  with  the 
hatred  and  resentment  toward  those  I  thought  responsible, 
seemed  almost  too  great  for  me  to  bear.  Christian  Science 
again  met  my  need.  It  taught  me  to  know  and  love  my  only 
Father-Mother  God,  as  I  never  had  before,  and  I  realized 
that  in  knowing  who  is  my  mother  and  my  father  that  I  was 
healed  of  all  that  seemed  so  real.  I  shall  never  forget  the 
beautiful  way  our  Welfare  Worker  stood  with  me  during 
this  trial. 

"It  was  my  privilege  to  be  one  of  the  readers  in  the  Chris- 
tian Science  meetings  held  in  camp.  This  position  awakened 
me  to  see  what  it  is  to  be  a  real  Christian  Scientist,  and  I 
am  rejoicing  daily  in  increased  understanding. 

"Christian  Science  is  such  a  simple,  demonstrable,  practi- 
cal religion.  As  each  day  passes  and  I  know  more  of  God 
who  is  Love  and  of  man's  relation  to  Him,  my  gratitude 
increases.  I  realize,  however,  as  our  beloved  Leader  writes 
on  page  3  of  Science  and  Health:  'Gratitude  is  much  more 
than  a  verbal  expression  of  thanks.  Action  expresses  more 
gratitude  than  speech.'  My  great  desire  is  that  I  may  so 
grow  in  the  understanding  of  Christian  Science  that  my  life 
by  my  actions  may  prove  true  gratitude  and  that  I  may  be 
found  worthy  of  the  name  of  a  genuine  Christian  Scientist. 

"Ralph  E.  Carson, 

"Detroit,  Michigan." 

"A  new  name  for  an  ailment  affects  people  like  a 
Parisian  name  for  a  novel  garment.  Everyone  hastens 
to  get  it,"  says  Mrs.  Eddy  on  page  197  of  Science  and 
Health.  Never  was  the  truth  of  these  words  more 
conclusively  proved  than  in  the  epidemic  of  fear, 
called  Spanish  Influenza,  which  raged  through  the 

340 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

United  States  and  Europe  last  fall.  To  those  who  are 
used  to  looking  for  the  mental  cause  of  all  physical 
effects,  it  was  not  surprising  that  this  gust  of  evil 
should  have  swept  most  violently  through  our  army 
and  navy  training  camps.  Certain  it  is  that  as  one  of 
our  Workers  wrote,  "If  this  thing  had  been  called 
German  instead  of  Spanish  no  one  would  have  taken 
it  for  each  would  have  said,  'Away  with  it ;  we're  not 
afraid  of  anything  German  and  never  will  be.'  " 

In  any  event  during  those  weeks  of  stress  and  fear, 
Christian  Scientists  everywhere  were  grateful  for  a 
knowledge  of  God's  goodness  and  for  a  calm  assur- 
ance of  protection,  and  through  this  understanding 
they  were  able  to  be  of  immeasurable  help  to  those 
who  were  suffering  in  this  dream  of  sickness.  Prob- 
ably the  helpfulness  of  our  Camp  Workers  was 
brought  home  to  more  families  at  that  one  time  than 
at  any  other  during  the  activity  of  the  Committee. 

In  some  of  the  camps  with  the  placing  of  the  quar- 
antine, Christian  Science  services  were  abandoned 
perforce.  In  one  camp  through  the  faithful  effort  of 
a  woman  Worker  permission  was  granted  by  the 
camp  surgeon  and  our  services  went  on  uninter- 
ruptedly. 

Elsewhere  our  Workers  being  told  that  the  entire 
district  was  under  quarantine  and  if  they  entered  they 
would  be  obliged  to  stay  in  the  camp,  elected  to  follow 
this  course,  entered  and  remained  inside,  bringing 
healing  and  comfort  to  many.  In  a  camp  of  this  sort 
such  good  work  was  done  by  the  soldier  Scientists 
that  the  Worker  wrote  of  them  as  follows : 

"One  of  the  things  for  which  we  are  most  grateful  is  the 
fact  that  our  boys  were  able  to  help  the  others  during  the 

341 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

recent  epidemic.  One  of  them  had  charge  of  thirty-six  others. 
The  first  night  he  went  to  each  patient  and  tried  to  allay  his 
fear  and  to  reassure  him.  The  doctors  soon  began  to  turn 
to  him  and  he  was  put  into  a  position  of  considerable  respon- 
sibility and  usefulness.  Another  boy  read  the  91st  Psalm 
to  his  patients,  and  although  only  a  beginner  in  Science, 
through  using  what  he  knew  of  the  truth,  was  able  to  over- 
come a  very  high  fever  for  one  of  the  boys." 

Similarly,  a  soldier  writing  from  England  says: 

"I  was  placed  in  a  hospital  unit  and  sent  overseas.  This 
took  place  while  the  fear  of  the  so-called  influenza  was 
on.  ...  If  you  will  remember  I  am  just  a  beginner  in 
Science,  and  so  I  held  to  the  truth  as  best  I  could  during 
that  season.  I  did  not  use  any  preventives  or  medicine  as 
did  my  associates.  I  had  no  fear  and  felt  it  my  duty  to  serve 
instead  of  being  served." 

Our  Camp  Workers  themselves  at  this  time  were 
working  day  and  night  and  in  many  places,  being 
unable  to  care  for  all  the  cases  presented  to  them,  they 
were  obliged  to  ask  for  assistance  from  other  prac- 
titioners who  gladly  volunteered  their  services.  Per- 
haps the  following  letters  will  indicate  the  apprecia- 
tion with  which  their  efforts  were  met.  The  first  is 
from  the  surgeon  of  the  Air  Service  Mechanics 
School,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota: 

"The  Surgeon  desires  to  thank  Mr.  G.  and  the  members 
of  the  Christian  Science  Welfare  League  for  their  great  kind- 
ness and  thoughtfulness  in  caring  for  the  men  sick  in  our 
hospital  during  the  recent  epidemic.  The  care  and  trouble 
taken  in  providing  for  the  comfort  and  welfare  of  the  patients 
have  been  very  much  appreciated. 

"You  cannot  realize  how  much  such  helpful,  practical 
service  as  yours  has  meant  to  the  patients.  Your  splendid 
cooperation  and  ready,  willing  service  throughout  the  very 

342 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

trying  emergency  have  meant  much  more  than  can  be  ex- 
pressed. The  medical  officers  are  extremely  grateful  to  you, 
and  are  very  appreciative  of  all  that  you  have  done." 

The  second  is  from  a  medical  officer  at  the  hospital 
in  Camp  Beauregard,  Louisiana: 

"I  take  the  means  of  this  letter  to  express  to  you  as  best 
I  can,  my  appreciation  of  your  help  and  assistance  during 
this  trying  situation  in  camp. 

"When  you  offered  your  services  in  the  beginning  of  this 
critical  situation,  we  needed  help  upon  whom  we  could  depend. 
We  were  a  little  surprised  at  your  offer,  not  at  all  on  account 
of  the  man  from  whom  it  came,  but  we  did  not  know  how 
your  people's  views  were  along  the  lines  of  such  humanitarian 
work  as  you  have  done  here. 

"I  felt  that  everything  was  as  it  should  be  in  my  absence 
with  you  as  Ward  Master.  One  thing  I  want  to  say  to  you,  a 
thing  that  I  appreciate,  while  your  position  as  Ward  Master 
would  have  safeguarded  you  against  any  orderly  duties  of 
the  hospital, — the  thing  necessary  to  be  done,  was  the  thing 
you  did. 

"Again  thanking  you  for  your  faithful  and  fearless  work 
during  this  serious  time,  I  am, 

"Your  friend." 

At  a  camp  in  Colorado  our  Worker,  upon  volun- 
teering the  services  of  himself  and  his  car,  was  told 
that  everything  was  well  organized  in  the  hospital 
except  in  the  diet  kitchen,  where  he  might  be  useful. 
Upon  visiting  the  kitchen  he  was  told  that  the  patients 
craved  ice  cream  and  as  the  result  of  an  appeal  to  the 
women  of  the  near-by  Christian  Science  churches  our 
Worker  was  able  to  deliver  a  daily  supply  of  ice  cream 
and  fruit  to  the  hospital  during  the  period  of  need. 
Sincere  expressions  of  gratitude  came  to  him  from 
the  members  of  the  Medical  Staff  for  this  service. 

343 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

Through  the  activity  of  the  Comforts  Forwarding 
Committees  at  various  other  points  bathrobes,  con- 
valescent gowns,  and  other  much-needed  garments 
were  supplied  to  the  hospitals  at  this  time. 

From  among  countless  others  the  following  testi- 
monies have  been  chosen  as  representative  of  the 
healing  work  accomplished  at  this  period. 

"To  whom  it  may  concern: 

"I  wish  to  express  my  gratitude  for  the  benefits  I  have 
received  through  Christian  Science,  especially  for  a  wonder- 
ful demonstration  which  I  have  but  recently  had. 

"On  the  evening  of  November  28,  1918,  I  felt  very  ill  and 
as  I  am  a  member  of  a  military  organization,  was  required 
to  report  to  the  medical  authorities.  There  I  was  told  that  I 
had  a  very  high  fever  and  was  suffering  from  laryngitis.  I 
was  ordered  to  bed,  rapidly  becoming  worse  till  I  was  de- 
lirious. The  medical  authorities  then  pronounced  my  illness 
as  being  pneumonia. 

"I  had  read  a  little  about  Christian  Science  but  had  not 
advanced  very  far.  It  became  known  to  our  Camp  Welfare 
Worker  that  I  had  been  somewhat  interested  in  Christian 
Science  so  he  at  once  came  to  the  hospital  and  asked  if  I 
wanted  help.  I  answered,  'Yes.' 

"The  third  night  after  the  Worker  had  first  seen  me,  the 
doctor  in  charge  made  the  assertion  that  I  could  not  possibly 
live  till  morning,  but  the  healing  Truth  triumphed  and  four 
days  later  the  doctors  declared  me  absolutely  out  of  danger. 
The  doctor  in  charge  of  my  case  made  the  statement  to  me 
that  in  all  his  practice,  he  had  never  seen  so  sick  a  man  as  I 
had  been,  become  absolutely  well. 

"The  sickness  left  me  without  a  trace  of  any  other  afflic- 
tion such  as  it  often  does.  My  healing  was  perfect.  The  doc- 
tors' only  comment  was  that  they  could  not  understand  it. 

"I  am  unable  to  express  all  the  gratitude  I  feel  for  the 
many  blessings  I  have  received  and  also  for  the  wonderful 

344 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

work  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  has  done 
in  our  camp.  In  the  reading  room  maintained  by  them,  we 
have  a  nice,  quiet  place  to  study,  write  letters  and  read  all 
authorized  literature,  which  has  been  a  great  help. 
"Very  sincerely, 

"Cpl.  W.  R.  Hoppenstedt, 
"Hdqrts.  Detach., 

"8th  Reg.,  U.  S.  M.  C" 

"Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee,  Boston,  Mass. : 

"I  am  more  than  grateful  for  a  healing  of  an  attack  of 
influenza,  which  took  place  last  February.  At  that  time  I  was 
located  in  a  Marine  camp  at  Galveston,  Texas.  It  took  con- 
siderable discretion  to  keep  from  being  sent  to  the  hospital 
for  several  weeks  of  confinement.  This  was  avoided  through 
the  ever-ready  helpfulness  of  the  Camp  Welfare  Workers. 
They  asked  me  to  stay  in  their  own  home  during  the  first 
afternoon  I  could  get  off  from  camp.  I  accepted  their  invita- 
tion and  was  at  their  home  about  the  middle  of  the  after- 
noon. By  nine  o'clock  of  that  evening  the  perfect  healing 
came  and  I  walked  back  to  camp  knowing  confidently  that  I 
was  well.  This  is  one  of  the  many  healings  I  received  in  camp 
which  I  am  grateful  for. 

"Fred  R.  Brooks, 

"Sgt.,  U.  S.  M.  C, 

"Discharged.  Nardin,  Okla." 

"Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee,  Boston,  Mass. : 

"I  have  been  somewhat  interested  in  Christian  Science  for 
about  six  years  and  have  received  some  benefits  from  the 
study  thereof,  but  it  was  not  until  after  entering  the  army 
that  I  was  brought  to  realize  the  great  power  of  divine  Love. 
"Recently  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  the  base  hospital  as  I 
was  suffering  from  double  pneumonia.  While  there  I  was 
examined  one  evening  by  the  assistant  chief  of  staff  and  they 
decided  that  what  was  called  fluid  was  on  one  of  the  lungs. 

345 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

They  said  that  I  should  be  X-Raycd  the  next  morning  to 
determine  at  what  point  the  operation  of  aspirating  should 
take  place. 

"A  few  minutes  later  the  Christian  Science  War  Worker 
came  to  see  me.  He  told  me  to  remember  the  fact  that  God  was 
closer  to  me  than  the  air  I  was  breathing  and  that  nothing 
could  affect  me  but  good  and  that  he  would  give  me  treatment. 

"The  next  morning  when  I  was  X-Rayed  there  was  not  any 
indication  whatever  of  fluid,  and  there  was  no  operation. 

"I  am  very  grateful  for  the  blessings  given  me  through 
Science  and  I  trust  that  each  day  will  bring  me  to  more  fully 
understand  the  Truth  as  obtained  through  the  teachings  of 
Christian  Science. 

" Joseph  Fidel, 

"Camp  Lewis,  Washington." 

"Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee,  Boston,  Mass. 

"Dear  Brethren:  I  thank  you  most  sincerely  for  the  com- 
fort received  through  your  splendid  Committee  in  a  recent 
experience. 

"Our  son  was  in  training  camp  near  Boston,  and  we  re- 
ceived word  that  he  was  in  the  hospital,  a  victim  of  the  recent 
epidemic.  Having  had  no  further  news  for  some  days,  and 
with  the  papers  telling  of  so  many  cases  of  fatalities,  we  felt 
we  must  know  how  he  was.  I  wrote  to  the  Editors  of  the 
Christian  Science  periodicals,  and  my  request  was  handed 
by  them  to  your  most  worthy  Committee.  I  at  once  received 
a  message  that  our  son  was  well  enough  to  be  leaving  with 
his  company  for  a  flying  field  in  the  South. 

"There  is  no  Christian  Science  organization  in  the  little 
frontier  town  where  we  are  living  at  present  and  I  had  not 
known  of  the  work  before  this  experience.  I  am  enclosing  a 
check  to  help  further  this  work  of  love." 

"I  wish  to  express  my  gratitude  for  Christian  Science 
especially  during  the  time  I  was  in  the  army.  During  a  year's 
service  I  had  many  proofs  of  the  protection  of  divine  Mind. 

346 


A  Christian  Science  service  at  Camp   Hancock,  Georgia 


Interior  views,  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Building, 
Camp  Hancock,  Georgia 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

"One  healing  I  wish  to  tell  about  was  during  the  so-called 
influenza  epidemic.  I  was  stationed  in  an  embarkation  camp 
awaiting  orders  to  start  overseas.  These  orders  were  received 
and  we  boarded  the  transport,  but  after  two  days  and  a 
night  out  we  were  brought  back,  the  reason  being  that  the 
epidemic  had  broken  out  on  board. 

"I  was  placed  in  the  hospital  with  many  others  and  was 
said  to  be  in  a  very  serious  condition.  As  soon  as  possible  I 
had  one  of  the  boys  in  my  company  call  up  the  Camp  Wel- 
fare Worker  and  ask  him  to  come  to  me,  which  he  did,  making 
the  trip  at  night. 

"In  the  meantime,  I  had  been  placed  out  on  the  porch 
where  all  the  hopeless  cases  were  cared  for  and  was  not  ex- 
pected to  live.  Through  the  kindness  of  the  nurse,  the  Wel- 
fare Worker  was  allowed  to  come  to  my  cot.  Work  was  done 
and  the  healing  was  instantaneous. 

"In  two  days  I  was  released  from  the  hospital  in  a  normal 
condition  but  was  later  placed  in  what  was  called  the  observa- 
tion ward  because  the  doctors  could  not  understand  how  I 
had  recovered  so  quickly.  I  spent  twenty  days  in  this  ward, 
perfectly  well,  during  which  time  the  Welfare  Worker  visited 
me  often,  always  bringing  me  a  good  supply  of  literature, 
for  which  I  was  thankful. 

"I  wish  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the  good  work  done 
in  the  camps  where  I  was  stationed  by  the  Christian  Science 
Camp  Welfare  Workers.  They  were  always  willing  and 
ready. 

"Heeman  F.  Geant, 

"Los  Angeles,  California." 

From  the  innumerable  letters  at  hand  the  following 
have  been  chosen  as  typical  of  what  was  done  for  men 
who  were  not  Christian  Scientists  before  entering  the 
service,  but  who,  through  physical  or  spiritual  need, 
turned  to  Science  for  help. 

347 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"It  is  a  pleasure  to  be  able  to  add  my  testimony  to  those 
of  the  many  who  have  found  cause  for  gratitude  for  the 
Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare  work. 

"I  was  stationed  at  Camp  Johnston  in  Florida.  Before 
entering  the  army  I  knew  nothing  of  Christian  Science.  A 
lecture  was  given  in  Jacksonville,  which  made  me  realize  that 
this  was  the  sort  of  religion  I  had  been  seeking.  I  borrowed 
a  cop}'  of  Science  and  Health  from  the  camp  library,  but 
after  reading  it  I  did  not  feel  that  I  had  been  benefited.  I 
knew,  however,  that  the  fault  was  mine. 

"About  two  months  later  a  Christian  Science  Welfare 
Worker  was  stationed  at  my  camp  and  one  day  he  and  his 
wife  called  at  my  barracks  for  me.  I  was  given  a  copy  of 
Science  and  Health,  a  Quarterly,  a  Song  Book  and  several 
pamphlets.  The  Workers  assured  me  of  their  desire  to  help 
any  one  interested,  to  a  fuller  understanding  and  realization 
of  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  Christian  Science.  They 
very  kindly  explained  to  me  many  points  which  had  troubled 
me.  The  remainder  of  my  stay  in  camp  was  made  pleasant 
by  their  friendship  and  untiring  interest  in  my  welfare. 

"I  was  given  treatment  and  cured  of  a  stomach  and  bowel 
trouble  which  I  had  come  to  believe  was  chronic  and  incur- 
able. Glasses  which  had  been  worn  for  years  became  unneces- 
sary and  were  laid  aside.  The  desire  to  smoke  left  me,  much 
to  my  surprise,  as  I  was  smoking  almost  continually  and 
believed  that  I  received  pleasure  from  it.  Many  other  minor 
troubles  disappeared  and  every  problem  connected  with  my 
work  seemed  to  be  solved  with  benefit  to  me. 

"The  weekly  meetings  were  a  source  of  comfort  and  in- 
spiration. They  were  well  attended  and  greatly  enjoyed  by 
the  boys  who  were  interested  in  Science.  I  am  deeply  grateful 
for  all  the  benefits  I  have  received  and  give  thanks  for  the 
love  which  made  possible  the  work  of  the  Christian  Science 
Camp  Welfare  Committee. 

"John  W.  Farr, 

"Lowell,  Mass." 
348 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

"I  want  to  express  my  gratitude  to  God  for  healing  I  re- 
ceived while  in  Camp  McArthur,  Waco,  Texas.  At  first  the 
doctors  at  the  base  hospital  said  it  was  necessary  that  I  be 
operated  on  for  hernia.  Then  it  was  decided  that  my  physical 
condition  would  not  allow  me  to  undergo  an  operation, 
asthma  and  consumption  being  the  other  ailments.  On  meet- 
ing the  Camp  Welfare  Worker,  I  asked  him  if  anything 
could  be  done  for  me  and  he,  of  course,  explained  that  every- 
thing was  possible  with  God.  My  healing  took  place  in  a  few 
days  and  from  that  day  to  this  I  have  never  seen  the  hernia, 
nor  felt  any  effect  from  the  other  so-called  diseases.  I  also 
was  troubled  with  a  stomach  complaint  before  leaving  home, 
which  has  disappeared. 

"Since  my  return  I  have  put  on  weight  so  rapidly  and  look 
so  well  that  all  my  friends  remark  what  good  the  army  has 
done  for  me,  but  I  know  that  it  is  my  faith  in  God  and  the 
light  I  have  gained  through  Christian  Science  which,  has 
brought  this  improvement.  I  make  the  best  use  of  the  little 
khaki  Science  and  Health,  reading  it  every  morning  on  my 
way  to  work.  My  wife  is  also  greatly  interested.  I  am  very 
grateful  to  God  and  to  our  Leader. 

"G.  E.  Mayhew, 
"Chicago,  Illinois." 

The  following  was  written  direct  to  a  Worker : 

"I  was  taken  to  the  naval  base  hospital  on  November  28, 
1918,  with  spinal  meningitis.  This  is  considered  to  be  a  very 
deadly  disease,  in  1918  ninety-five  out  of  a  hundred  cases 
proving  fatal.  I  lay  suffering  in  its  worst  agonies  for  nine 
days.  I  did  not  know  at  the  time  even  that  you  had  been 
there,  for  I  was  too  far  gone.  My  mother,  who  was  by  my 
bedside,  told  me  you  had  promised  to  do  some  work  for  me. 
On  the  next  day  after  your  visit  my  suffering*  left  entirely 
and  it  was  only  a  short  time  before  I  was  out  of  bed.  I  have 
had  the  quickest  recovery  on  record  and  am  today  sound 
and  whole  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  Indeed,  so  good  is  my 

349 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

condition  that  I  will  be  sent  back  to  duty,  whereas  the  others 
will  get  medical  discharges  from  service. 

"Christian  Science  has  worked  wonders  for  me  and  shown 
me  the  truth.  I  am  banishing  what  we  term  fear  and  feel 
that  armed  with  this  new  truth  I  can  cope  with  everything. 

"Earl  P.  Andrews, 

"Atlanta,  Georgia." 

"I  am  indeed  thankful  for  the  great  healings  which  came 
to  me  while  in  the  army  through  Christian  Science.  To  Mrs. 
Eddy,  the  author  of  Science  and  Health  with  Key  to  the 
Scriptures,  I  owe  a  great  debt  of  gratitude. 

"According  to  materia  medica  I  had  lost  my  reason  and 
was  put  behind  bars  with  others  of  my  fellow  comrades. 
When  I  asked  for  an  interview  with  the  attending  surgeon  I 
was  refused,  and  for  a  couple  of  days  I  was  made  to  mop  the 
floor,  do  kitchen  work  and  carry  heavy  bundles  of  linen, 
under  guard. 

"Prior  to  this  I  had  attended  a  Christian  Science  service 
and  had  been  given  a  copy  of  Science  and  Health.  The 
attendants  seeing  I  had  it,  instructed  me  not  to  read  it  and 
tried  to  take  it  away  from  me. 

"In  the  meanwhile  I  got  in  touch  with  the  Camp  Welfare 
Worker.  He  visited  me  and  explained  man's  relation  to  God, 
telling  me :  'Ye  shall  know  the  truth  and  the  truth  shall  make 
you  free.'  In  this  ward  were  three  boys,  two  of  whom  were 
often  in  the  strait- jacket,  who  always  wanted  to  know  who 
the  man  was  that  came  to  visit  me.  I  told  them  and  through 
the  Camp  Welfare  Worker  they  also  were  beautifully  healed. 

"During  this  time  a  large  boil  appeared  on  my  face,  which 
was  very  painful.  The  Camp  Worker  noticing  it,  asked  me 
if  I  wanted  help.  After  treatment  all  pain  left  me,  proving 
that  'There  is  no  life,  truth,  intelligence,  nor  substance  in 
matter'  (Science  and  Health,  page  468). 

"My  healing  was  so  complete  that  my  commanding  officer 
recommended  me  to  be  raised  to  a  higher  rank. 

"Since  leaving  the  service  Christian  Science  has  helped  me 

350 


The  Little  Cottage  by  the  Lake,  Camp  Wheeler,  Georgia 


Christian  Science  Building,  Camp  Fremont,  California 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

out  in  many  problems.  For  the  literature,  the  services  and 
the  help  received,  I  am  very  grateful. 

"Deveney  Gerald  Wilson, 

"Dallas,  Texas." 

"While  I  was  serving  in  France  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  118th 
Engineers  an  arterial  tumor  developed,  medically  known  as 
an  aneurism  of  the  aorta,  supposedly  due  to  the  exertion 
and  exposure  of  the  service.  The  best  medical  authorities  of 
the  army,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  declared  that  the 
case  was  incurable  and  that  they  could  not  do  anything  to 
relieve  it.  I  had  long  been  friendly  to  Christian  Science,  as 
my  wife  has  been  a  student  for  years  and  I  had  been  im- 
pressed with  the  air  of  progressiveness  and  success  of  the 
average  Scientist,  but  there  had  never  seemed  to  be  a  suffi- 
ciently urgent  reason  for  me  to  study  Christian  Science  until 
the  army  physicians  in  France  told  me  that  they  could  not 
heal  me  and  advised  me  to  put  my  affairs  in  as  good  shape 
as  possible,  as  they  did  not  expect  me  to  survive  the  trip 
home. 

"I  then  began  reading  in  earnest  the  vest-pocket  edition 
of  Science  and  Health,  which  had  been  given  me  by  the  War 
Relief  Committee,  and  was  helped  by  Scientists  in  my  com- 
pany. Also  I  met  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretary  who,  when  he 
found  that  I  had  been  given  up  by  the  physicians,  recom- 
mended Science,  without  knowing  that  I  was  already  study- 
ing it.  With  the  help  mentioned,  I  made  a  safe  return  trip 
and  at  the  base  hospital  to  which  I  was  assigned  in  this 
country,  I  came  directly  in  contact  with  the  Christian  Science 
War  Relief  work.  My  recovery  has  been  a  marvel  to  the 
army  specialists,  and  a  large  number  of  them  examined  me 
before  I  was  discharged.  At  a  meeting  of  one  of  the  examining 
boards,  soon  after  my  return,  one  officer  expressed  surprise 
that  I  got  back  alive,  so  I  told  them  that  it  was  due  to  Chris- 
tian Science.  I  am  glad  to  say  that  I  received  only  the  best 
and  most  considerate  treatment  after,  as  well  as  before,  my 
avowal  of  Christian  Science  help. 

351 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"There  is  still  much  to  be  accomplished  but  the  over- 
coming of  fear,  weakness  and  distress  has  been  very  con- 
vincing and  inspiring.  I  am  glad  to  tell  what  Christian  Sci- 
ence has  done  for  me  and  of  the  help  I  have  received  through 
the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee,  both  to  express 
my  gratitude  and  in  order  to  benefit  others. 

"Robert  James  Weston, 

"San  Antonio,  Texas." 

The  letters  which  follow  are  of  unusual  interest, 
showing  as  they  do,  the  experiences  of  three  men,  in 
different  branches  of  the  service,  who  are  convinced 
that  their  understanding  of  Christian  Science  pre- 
served them  from  danger  and  brought  them  through 
situations  of  grave  peril  to  safety  and  health. 

"Christian  Science  came  into  my  life  a  short  time  before 
I  joined  the  United  States  naval  service,  but  the  actual 
study  of  this  Science  did  not  commence  until  about  the  time 
I  was  called  into  active  duty,  two  years  ago.  Instead  of  the 
hardship  and  unpleasantness  which  seemed  to  be  my  portion 
in  the  early  days  of  the  war,  gradually  a  change  took  place 
in  conditions,  until,  at  the  time  of  discharge,  I  could  look 
back  and  say,  'I  am  most  grateful  for  my  period  of  service 
during  the  war,'  for  it  gave  me  an  understanding  of  Christian 
Science,  a  demonstrable  knowledge  of  it,  a  changed  outlook 
on  life,  a  new  hope.  Gratitude  fills  my  heart  each  time  this 
period  comes  to  thought. 

"During  the  early  days  of  the  war  I  was  put  on  one  of 
the  German  vessels,  taken  over  by  our  government  to  be  con- 
verted and  used  for  carrying  troops  over  to  the  other  side. 
At  that  time  the  work  seemed  very  hard  and  laborious,  espe- 
cially as  previous  to  that  period  I  had  had  no  experience  of 
that  sort.  We  would  work  all  day  and  sometimes  late  into 
the  night  carrying  heavy  crates,  barrels  and  boxes  contain- 
ing supplies  for  the  ship.  At  that  time  too,  it  seemed  as 

852 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

though  I  was  not  enjoying  good  health,  so  conditions  soon 
seemed  to  become  unbearable.  However,  I  continued  to  read 
at  any  spare  time  I  had  and  the  thought  came  to  me  to  do 
the  work  in  hand  the  best  I  could  and  to  know  that  faithful 
work  would  surely  bring  its  own  reward.  And  it  did,  for 
one  day  a  chaplain  came  aboard  and  as  Christian  Science 
teaches  us  to  be  helpful  in  any  way  we  can,  I  offered  my 
services  to  do  his  typewriting  or  anything  which  might  be 
helpful  to  him.  About  two  days  afterward  he  sent  for  me 
and  in  a  short  time  I  was  made  his  assistant,  helping  to 
provide  entertainment  and  amusement  for  the  soldiers  we 
were  carrying  across,  as  well  as  the  crew.  This  proved  to  be 
a  most  congenial  employment. 

"About  a  year  ago,  while  returning  from  one  of  our  voy- 
ages abroad,  we  were  torpedoed  by  a  German  submarine, 
about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  nearly  six  hundred  miles 
from  the  French  coast.  As  was  my  custom  in  the  morning, 
I  had  been  reading  some  of  the  literature,  when  a  short  time 
before  the  first  torpedo  struck,  something  prompted  me  to 
go  to  the  other  end  of  the  ship,  which  leading  I  obeyed.  A 
few  minutes  later  a  torpedo  struck  the  vessel  only  a  short 
distance  from  where  I  formerly  had  been,  killing  several  men. 

"By  this  time  our  general  alarm  signal  had  been  given, 
which  meant  for  us  to  go  to  our  lifeboat  station,  and  only 
a  few  seconds  after  I  obeyed  this  order,  another  torpedo 
exploded  not  far  from  the  spot  where  I  had  just  been,  accom- 
plishing its  errand  of  destruction. 

"The  ship  by  this  time  was  listing  considerably  and  be- 
coming rapidly  filled  with  water,  the  order  was  given  to 
abandon  ship,  which  we  did,  and  in  the  short  space  of  twenty- 
seven  minutes,  one  of  the  largest  of  the  American  transports 
was  swallowed  up  by  the  waves. 

"We  floated  around  in  the  water  for  about  three-quarters 
of  an  hour,  when  an  object,  which  looked  like  a  sail,  made  its 
appearance  upon  the  horizon  and  as  it  drew  nearer  we  per- 
ceived it  to  be  the  submarine  which  had  fired  on  us,  returning 

353 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

to  see  to  what  extent  it  had  accomplished  its  unholy  purpose. 
It  circled  round  about  the  lifeboats  and  rafts  several  times 
looking  for  our  captain  and  not  being  able  to  find  him,  evi- 
dently decided  to  follow  other  plans.  The  officers  motioned 
to  the  lifeboat  in  which  I  happened  to  be  to  come  alongside 
and  tie  up  to  them,  which  order  we  obeyed.  After  making  our 
officer  in  charge  a  prisoner  and  taking  our  pictures,  they 
gave,  the  order  to  shove  off,  which  we  did  with  alacrity.  Then 
they  calmly  proceeded  to  load  up  their  gun  and  make  every- 
thing in  readiness  to  fire.  They  took  what  appeared  to  be 
perfect  aim  at  our  lifeboat.  It  seemed  the  end.  Complete 
silence  reigned,  and  the  boys,  with  white  faces,  waited  for  the 
shot  which  would  end  this  phase  of  mortal  existence.  During 
this  time  it  seemed  to  me  that  I  could  realize  only  short, 
incoherent  snatches  of  truth,  but  in  this  grave  moment  the 
thought  came  to  me:  'Be  not  afraid,  these  Germans  are,  in 
truth,  as  much  God's  children,  perfect  ideas,  as  you  Ameri- 
cans. All  God's  ideas,  even  now,  are  in  perfect  unity  and 
God's  ideas  cannot  work  to  destroy  one  another  but  work 
together  to  help  each  other  in  love.'  Afterwards  I  learned 
that  at  least  one  other  of  my  comrades  had  been  trying  to 
realize  the  truth  at  that  time.  The  shot  was  never  fired,  but 
instead  the  submarine  soon  submerged. 

"It  was  getting  late  in  the  afternoon  and  there  was  no 
sign  of  an3'thing,  upon  that  mighty  expanse  of  ocean.  Hour 
after  hour  passed  and  toward  dusk,  our  captain  had  all  the 
lifeboats  and  rafts  tied  together  to  make  things  as  safe  as 
possible  and  there  upon  the  broad  bosom  of  the  sea,  beneath 
the  stars  we  waited,  not  knowing  what  was  in  store  for  us, 
but  knowing  that  the  good  God  who  had  cared  for  us  during 
all  the  day,  would  not  leave  us  in  the  blackness  of  the  night. 
About  one  o'clock  the  following  morning,  a  light  blinked 
near  us.  At  first  we  thought  it  was  another  submarine,  but 
it  proved  to  be  two  American  destroyers  which  had  picked 
up  the  wireless  S.  O.  S.  from  another  ship  in  the  convoy  and 
had  come  to  our  rescue. 

354 


Christian  Science  War  Relief  Building,  Camp  Mills,  New  York 


In  the  Reading  Room  at  Camp  Mills,  New  York 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

"After  two  days  on  the  destroyers  we  finally  arrived  back 
in  France,  where  the  lads  suffering  from  exposure  and 
wounds,  were  sent  to  the  hospital,  but  not  one  of  the  four 
students  of  Christian  Science  aboard  our  ship  was  injured 
in  the  slightest  way.  As  for  myself,  I  had  not  even  got  my 
feet  wet  during  the  entire  experience. 

"When  we  landed  back  in  America,  after  our  journey,  I 
soon  learned  that  there  was  a  Christian  Science  War  Relief 
Room  in  that  port,  and  it  was  my  greatest  desire  to  secure 
a  new  Science  and  Health,  Bible  and  Quarterly.  When  I  went 
in  one  of  the  Workers,  seeing  I  had  not  come  to  write,  asked 
if  he  could  be  of  any  assistance  and  when  I  asked  for  the 
books  and  related  how  I  had  lost  my  others,  he  remarked,  'It 
would  indeed  be  a  pleasure  to  give  you  a  new  set.' 

"All  I  can  say  is  thanks  be  to  God  for  this  wonderful 
Truth,  for  Jesus  the  Wayshower,  and  for  our  beloved 
Leader. 

"Eugene  A.  Oppenheim, 

"Hoboken,  New  Jersey." 

"I  am  very  appreciative  of  the  broad  thought  and  kindli- 
ness of  the  Christian  Science  Board  of  Directors  and  all  who 
supported  the  Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare  Committee 
and  made  this  work  possible.  It  has  helped  the  army  at 
the  front.  It  has  helped  those  in  the  rear.  It  has  helped  in 
the  camps  at  home.  It  has  helped  the  men  in  the  hospitals. 
It  has  shown  Christian  Science  to  the  world. 

"The  welfare  work  in  this  country  was  carried  on  in  the 
most  efficient  way  in  order  to  prepare  those  seeking  help  for 
the  great  trials  and  corresponding  demonstrations  of  Truth 
overseas.  This  work  was  done  in  such  a  loving  manner  and 
the  daily  visits  were  so  helpful  that  all  of  our  needs,  while 
in  camp,  were  met.  We  were  supplied  with  Science  and  Health 
and  other  literature  when  we  needed  them  most,  and  were 
assisted  along  the  paths  of  Truth  by  the  Workers. 

"The  Christian  Science  services  were  of  the  greatest  benefit, 

355 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

also  the  Camp  Welfare  Rooms  with  their  wealth  of  literature. 
All  who  were  interested  in  the  study  of  Christian  Science  at 
the  camps  became  acquainted  through  the  meetings  and  met 
at  the  homes  of  the  Workers.  This  proved  to  be  a  great 
blessing  at  the  front,  where  no  Science  help  was  available. 
It  allowed  us  to  consult  one  another,  to  assist  one  another, 
and  to  lend  and  borrow  Christian  Science  publications.  After 
three  months  at  the  front,  when  I  was  finally  stationed  where 
there  were  Welfare  Rooms,  it  was  a  great  happiness  to  enjoy 
the  regular  Christian  Science  services.  It  was  like  arriving 
at  home  again.  The  generous  help  of  the  Workers  cannot  be 
adequately  described.  Many  have  told  me  of  assistance  given. 
I  myself  was  helped  to  find  my  right  activity  and  the  proper 
attitude  towards  my  work. 

"As  a  regimental  commander  I  had  charge  of  the  equip- 
ping and  transportation  of  thirty-three  hundred  men  for 
overseas  duty.  This  was  done  without  the  least  trouble  and 
with  the  lowest  sick  rate.  On  board  the  transport  a  case  of 
scarlet  fever  was  found,  and  the  fear  of  the  spread  of  it  was 
met  by  the  thought,  'Divine  Love  casts  out  all  fear.'  None  of 
the  so-called  contacts  ever  manifested  the  slightest  sign  of 
the  disease.  Likewise,  the  almost  immediate  trip  across 
France  was  accomplished  without  mishap,  through  constant 
reliance  upon  omnipotent  Mind. 

"While  I  was  instructing  some  men  In  the  firing  of  gre- 
nades, a  rifle  tromblon  from  which  these  rifle  grenades  are 
discharged,  was  blown  to  fragments.  Instantly  came  the 
thought  of  great  thankfulness  that  our  protection  was  with 
the  Lord;  for  not  one  of  the  ten  men  standing  about  was 
hurt,  although  large  fragments  of  the  grenade  and  dis- 
charger were  found  all  about  us. 

"In  September  of  last  year,  my  division  was  selected  to 
participate  in  the  initial  drive  in  the  Argonne.  Here  again 
the  demonstrations  of  the  power  of  Christian  Science  were 
almost  hourly  in  occurrence.  I  was  constantly  led  aright.  My 
duties  at  one  time  required  me  to  find  the  positions  of  some 

356 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

machine  gun  emplacements  in  the  front  lines  in  the  dark, 
without  a  guide.  This  was  accomplished  without  great  diffi- 
culty, by  knowing  that  the  problem  was  a  purely  mental  one, 
and  that  man  is  controlled  by  divine  intelligence. 

"When  the  orders  came  for  the  assault  of  the  German 
lines,  I  was  enabled  to  work  continuously  for  several  days 
and  nights  with  little  or  no  sleep.  On  the  third  day  of  the 
drive,  my  immediate  superior  having  been  injured,  I  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  regiment.  Turning  to  God,  the 
unfailing  source  of  help,  I  was  able  to  work  out  alj  of  the 
many  problems  that  arose. 

"On  the  night  before  we  were  relieved  I  was  called  to 
Brigade  Headquarters  from  the  front.  A  heavy  fire  of  Aus- 
trian eighty-eight  shells  was  sweeping  the  road  which  I  must 
follow  to  keep  my  direction.  Having  constantly  in  mind  the 
scientific  application  of  the  91st  Psalm,  I  accomplished  the 
trip.  My  clothes  were  torn  somewhat  by  the  shells ;  but  no 
injury  came  to  me.  On  returning  to  my  headquarters  I  was 
again  hit  by  shells.  This  time  the  blows  were  so  hard  as  to 
render  me  unconscious  for  several  hours ;  but  again  I  was  not 
hurt,  beyond  feeling  the  force  of  the  blows  of  the  shell  frag- 
ments, which  did  not  penetrate  my  body.  Upon  reaching  my 
headquarters  I  was  informed  that  I  had  again  been  sent  for 
by  the  Commanding  General.  I  made  the  trip  again  under 
the  same  conditions,  and  was  again  uninjured,  although  my 
clothes  were  very  much  torn  and  one  of  the  staff  remarked 
that  my  first-aid  packet,  worn  on  my  hip,  had  been  shot  away. 

"I  owe  my  deliverance  to  Christian  Science.  This  was  not 
only  true  in  my  own  case,  but  in  that  of  every  one  of  those 
near  me  whose  dependence  was  on  God  in  these  hours  of  peril. 
Not  one  of  them  was  injured. 

"  'Whatever  holds  human  thought  in  line  with  unselfea 
love,  receives  directly  the  divine  power.'  (Science  and  Health, 
page  192.) 

"(Signed)  Karl  I.  Best, 

"(Late)  Lt.  Col.  Infantry  A.  E.  F." 
357 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"During  the  many  months  I  have  been  with  the  colors  I 
have  had  great  cause  to  be  grateful  for  the  beneficence  of 
The  Mother  Church  and  the  branch  churches  around  the 
world. 

"While  doing  duty  with  my  regiment  on  the  western  front 
in  France  we  were  caught  in  a  barrage.  After  several  hours 
with  my  comrades  falling  all  around  me,  I  too  fell  exhausted ; 
but  with  these  words  on  my  lips,  'Here,  Lord,  I  fall  in  Thy 
arms,'  and  repeating  the  Scientific  Statement  of  Being  from 
Science  and  Health,  together  with  a  verse  from  the  91st 
Psalm,  'A  thousand  shall  fall  at  thy  side,  and  ten  thousand 
at  thy  right  hand,  but  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee.' 

"When  I  regained  consciousness  I  was  in  a  field  hospital, 
receiving  the  best  of  attention  and  recovering  from  the  effects 
of  poisonous  gases.  Later,  together  with  two  hundred  other 
disabled  soldiers  and  convalescents,  I  was  placed  aboard  the 
steamer  Mount  Vernon  bound  for  the  United  States.  Some 
two  hundred  miles  out  from  port  we  encountered  a  nest  of 
German  submarines  and  were  torpedoed,  the  shot  striking 
amidship.  Taking  my  place  in  the  lifeboat,  I  began  to  realize 
that  divine  Love  is  present  at  sea  as  well  as  on  land  and 
protects  all  His  children.  When  I  opened  my  eyes  it  was  to 
behold  the  love  that  exists  between  the  overseas  boys  and  the 
sailors,  for  the  marines  took  big  men  in  their  arms,  carried 
them  up  a  flight  of  stairs  and  tenderty  placed  them  in  life- 
boats. There  was  no  excitement.  The  enginemen  were  able 
to  disconnect  the  broken  boilers,  resume  steam  in  the  others, 
and  we  returned  to  port  under  our  own  steam. 

"I  was  treated  at  three  different  army  hospitals  in  the 
United  States.  After  many  examinations  and  X-Ray  pictures, 
materia  medica  diagnosed  my  case  as  pulmonary  tuberculosis, 
active  in  the  upper  lobes,  caused  by  the  poisonous  gases  I 
had  inhaled.  They  administered  maximum  treatment  without 
appreciable  results  and  apparently  did  not  understand  the 
case.  I  asked  for  Christian  Science  treatment  which  was 
cheerfully  given  and  my  improvement  was  very  rapid.  The 

358 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

speedy  recovery  was  even  a  greater  mystery  to  the  doctors 
and  they  were  very  slow  to  concede  it.  Here  again  Christian 
Science  freed  me,  for  I  was  finally  passed  by  a  board  of 
doctors  and  given  my  discharge. 

"It  is  with  a  heart  full  of  gratitude  to  the  Christian  Sci- 
ence War  Relief  Worker,  that  I  remember  the  journey  he 
made  from  a  distant  city  to  come  to  me;  and  I  am  most 
grateful  to  the  others  who  throughout  my  confinement  in  the 
hospitals  have  always  been  my  kindest  friends.  When  I 
seemed  to  be  despondent,  the  War  Relief  Worker  was  there 
with  his  word  of  cheer  and  was  ready  with  his  car  to  take  rne 
to  and  from  the  services  on  Sundays  and  Wednesdays.  For 
all  these  blessings  I  will  ever  give  thanks  to  God,  and  be 
grateful  for  our  beloved  Leader,  Mary  Baker  Eddy,  who  gave 
to  the  world  this  blessed  truth  through  which  I  have  been 
saved. 

"Sgt.  Leo  K.  Brough, 

"E  Co.,  4th  Engrs." 

It  is  pleasing  to  be  able  to  sa}^  a  word  also  about 
the  cordial  cooperation  and  sincere  appreciation  our 
Workers  received  in  almost  every  instance  from  the 
representatives  of  other  welfare  organizations. 

Says  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretary  at  Hempstead,  Long 
Island : 

"Dear  Sir :  Just  a  few  lines  to  speak  of  my  appreciation  of 
your  work  in  the  camps. 

"I  think  from  a  disinterested  standpoint,  and  yet  from  the 
standpoint  of  one  who  has  felt  the  spirit  of  cooperation,  that 
the  work  conducted  by  the  Christian  Science  Camp  Welfare 
League  is  to  be  commended  in  the  highest  terms. 

"From  my  own  observation  I  desire  to  say  that  I  have  seen 
no  indication  of  any  attempt  at  an  introduction  of  secta- 
rianism, but  your  work  appears  to  be  marked  by  a  willingness 
to  serve  the  boy  in  uniform,  regardless  of  sect  or  creed. 

359 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"As  a  minister  of  another  denomination,  I  have  no  hesita- 
tion in  expressing  my  opinion  thus  unreservedly. 
"With  every  best  wish  for  your  success  in  the  work, 

"Sincerely  yours, 

"W.  Norman  Libby, 

"Building  Secretary,  Y.  M.  C.  A." 

The  Post  Chaplain  at  Paris  Island,  South  Carolina, 
writes : 

"Gentlemen:  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  tell  you  of  the 
excellent  work  that  your  representative  has  been  doing  in 
our  Camp  on  Paris  Island.  He  has  been  very  courteous  and 
tactful  in  all  his  relations  with  the  authorities.  His  ministry 
to  the  men  has  been  most  gracious  and  has  been  very  much 
appreciated.  In  every  way,  he  has  contributed  to  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  men  and  has  been  building  them  up  in  faith  in  God 
and  in  devotion  to  the  cause  of  righteousness. 

"With  much  personal  appreciation  of  the  Worker  as  a 
friend,  I  am. 

"Yours  sincerely, 

"George  S.  Rentz." 

The  librarian  of  the  A.  L.  A.  branch  at  Camp 
Lewis,  Washington,  sends  this  hearty  commendation : 

"Gentlemen:  Permit  me  to  say  a  word  in  appreciation  of 
the  fine  work  of  your  Committee.  I  consider  your  work  in 
Camp  Lewis  one  of  the  most  active  and  potent  factors  among 
civilian  efforts  to  maintain  the  morale  of  our  citizen  army. 
Maintaining  morale  is  only  a  question  of  preserving  a  normal 
attitude  of  mind,  which  in  turn  means  making  a  soldier's  life 
as  nearly  like  that  to  which  he  has  been  accustomed  as  is 
possible  and  consistent  with  the  service.  This  seems  to  have 
been  the  theory  upon  which  your  work  has  been  based  and 
your  success  has  been  marked. 

"Your  Workers  here  have  been  devoted  and  untiring,  and 

360 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

in  the  time  they  have  been  here  they  have  accomplished  won- 
ders. They  are  cheery  people,  whom  to  meet  is  a  pleasure  and 
to  know  a  privilege,  and  many  there  are  in  camp  who  know 
them.  Your  little  building  is  without  exception  the  most 
homelike  place  I  have  seen  in  camp.  You  can  little  guess  what 
a  fireplace  and  'real'  furniture,  a  rug  on  the  floor  and  a 
picture  on  the  wall,  mean  to  a  soldier.  They  are  precious 
things,  once  lost,  now  found  again. 

"Permit  me  to  offer  you  my  congratulations  and  best 
wishes  for  your  continued  success. 

"Very  truly  yours, 

"Albert  R.  Powell, 

"Assistant  at  the  Camp  Library." 

The  representative  of  the  Jewish  Welfare  Board 
at  Camp  Mills  writes  to  our  Worker  there : 

"My  dear  Sir :  Since  I  expect  to  leave  on  Wednesday  next 
for  a  period  of  about  a  month,  may  I  take  this  opportunity 
of  again  assuring  you  that  my  associates,  who  will  be  in 
charge  of  the  work  during  my  absence,  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  at  all  times*  to  serve  and  cooperate  in  every  way 
possible. 

"It  has  been  a  genuine  pleasure  to  work  with  you,  particu- 
larly since  your  interpretation  of  service  has  been  one,  not 
alone  of  service  to  Christian  Scientists,  but  to  all  men  in 
khaki.  This  feeling  I  know  is  shared  by  the  various  agencies 
in  camp  and  it  is  no  longer  a  question  that  the  work  you  are 
doing  is  a  decided  contribution  to  all  welfare  work.  Your 
building  is  popular,  your  interest  in  the  men  genuine  and 
your  personality — the  reason  for  it  all. 

"Keep  up  the  good  work  and  don't  hesitate  to  make  us 
prove  that  we  are  with  you — heart  and  soul. 

"Very  sincerely  yours, 

"Arthur  K.  Deutsch, 

"Field  Representative  in  Charge." 
361 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

A  Red  Cross  director  says: 

"1.  On  behalf  of  the  two  hundred  and  fifty  boys  who  have 
been  confined  to  the  hospital  at  Fort  George  Wright,  those 
unfortunate  ones  who  have  passed  and  those  happy  ones  who 
are  well  or  convalescing,  permit  me  to  thank  you  and  through 
you,  the  members  of  the  War  Relief  Committee  for  the  splen- 
did aid  rendered  during  the  Emergency  Epidemic  at  this 
post. 

"2.  The  liberal  quantity  of  fruits,  preserves,  jellies,  grape 
juice,  etc.,  furnished  by  your  organization  contributed  im- 
measurably to  the  comfort  and  welfare  of  the  sick  and  eased 
the  suffering  of  those  poor  patient  boys  whom  we  lost.  The 
generous,  willing  help  in  nursing,  letter  writing,  and  janitor 
work,  which  was  given  without  evidence  of  pride  or  reserve 
by  the  many  kind  friends  sent  to  the  hospital  by  your  Com- 
mittee, relieved  a  situation  which,  without  this  aid,  would 
necessarily  have  been  most  acute. 

"3.  Will  you  kindly  convey  the  assurance  of  my  sincerest 
appreciation  to  all  those  who  gave  of  their  time  and  energy 
through  you  as  Camp  Representative  and  who,  in  their  splen- 
did spirit  of  unselfishness,  have  neither  sought  nor  received 
personal  credit  or  thanks. 

"Cordially  and  sincerely  yours, 
"R.  C.  Steeple, 

"Field  Director,  A.  R.  C." 

At  a  time  when  there  was  some  talk  that  others 
wished  to  restrict  the  activities  of  this  Committee, 
many  officers  were  willing  to  go  on  record  as  believing 
that  the  Christian  Science  War  Relief  Committee  was 
a  helpful  organization,  whose  activity  they  desired  to 
see  continued.  Several  of  the  letters  written  at  this 
time  follow: 

"Dear  Sir :  I  wish  to  thank  you  for  the  kindness  extended 
to  me  since  coming  to  this  camp.  I  am  also  very  thankful 

362 


Christian  Science  Building,  Camp  Kearny,  California 


Ready  for  the  service,  Camp  Kearny,  California 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

for  the  help  I  have  received  through  the  medium  of  the  Chris- 
tian Science  Welfare  Committee  in  the  form  of  literature, 
Sunday  services,  etc. 

"Although  I  am  not  a  member  of  the  Christian  Science 
Church,  I  have  been  the  recipient  of  all  these  favors,  for 
which  I  am  very  grateful. 

"The  Christian  Science  Welfare  work  has  been  an  agency 
for  good  in  this  Camp  to  many  others  besides  myself,  and  is 
conducted  altogether  along  non-sectarian  lines. 

"I  hope  that  this  work  can  be  continued  in  the  army  camps 
in  this  country  and  abroad,  because  of  the  good  it  is  bringing 
to  our  soldiers. 

"Sincerely  yours, 

"David  S.  Patterson, 

"2d  Lieut.,  16th  Cavalry,  U.  S.  A." 

"I  have  not  been  in  this  camp  a  very  long  time  but  while 
I  have  been  here  I  have  been  struck  with  the  quiet  restfulness 
of  your  welfare  building  and  the  cheerful  atmosphere  of  help- 
fulness that  pervades  it.  I  have  also  observed  your  readiness 
to  assist  any  soldier  in  any  way,  both  in  your  building  and 
throughout  the  camp.  I  have  heard  it  said  that  when  there 
was  an  important  service  to  be  rendered  or  quick  trans- 
portation needed  about  camp  the  Christian  Science  car  was 
always  at  everyone's  service.  And  I  would  like  to  thank  you 
on  behalf  of  my  men  and  myself  for  what  you  are  doing  for 
the  morale  of  the  army,  or  in  other  words — 'for  the  good  of 
the  service.' 

"William  R.  Randall, 

"1st  Lieut.,  Inf.,  U.  S.  A." 

"1.  Concerning  the  value  of  the  activities  of  the  Worker 
at  this  Camp,  I  desire  to  say  that  in  the  distribution  of  The 
Christian  Science  Monitor  he  is  doing  a  work  of  great  merit 
and  value  to  all  officers  and  men,  from  a  non-sectarian  stand- 
point. 

368 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"2.  His  personal  touch  with  those  of  Christian  Science 
belief  is  a  real  personal  service  of  great  value.  The  Christian 
Science  faith  is  so  entirely  different  from  other  beliefs  that 
men  who  are  in  trouble  naturally  seek,  and  should  be  entitled 
to,  contact  with  persons  of  their  own  way  of  thinking. 

"3.  Personally  I  should  be  extremely  sorry  to  see  the 
Worker's  activities  brought  to  a  close  for  any  reasons  what- 
ever. 

"J.  B.  Chaffey 
"Major,  Q.  M.  C." 

"1.  Having  been  stationed  at  Camp  Wheeler  with  the  31st 
Division  where  I  observed  the  activities  of  the  Christian  Sci- 
ence War  Relief  and  Camp  Welfare  Committee  for  about  a 
year,  and  also  for  one  and  a  half  months  in  Hoboken,  New 
Jersey,  I  feel  that  I  can  heartily  endorse  their  work. 

"2.  Their  camp  reading  rooms  provide  facilities  for  read- 
ing, writing,  and  lectures,  aid  in  cases  of  distress,  and  enter- 
tainment for  soldiers  and  their  friends. 

"3.  I  am  not  a  member  of  this  faith,  but  I  have  been 
greatly  impressed  by  their  generosity,  earnestness,  and  their 
excellent  welfare  work. 

"H.  L.  Butler, 

"Lieut.  Col.,  U.  S.  A." 

At  the  beginning  of  this  chapter  the  healing  work 
accomplished  by  the  War  Relief  Committee  was 
mentioned  as  being  first  in  interest  to  Christian 
Scientists.  Second,  perhaps  of  equal  importance,  has 
been  the  effect  of  the  War  Relief  activities  upon  the 
Christian  Science  movement  as  a  whole. 

Christian  Scientists  have  sometimes  been  charged 
with  being  self-centered  and  lacking  in  interest  in 
that  which  concerns  the  general  welfare.  While  they 
themselves  knew  the  falsity  of  such  statements  it  is, 

364 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

nevertheless,  cause  for  gratitude  that  such  miscon- 
ceptions have  been  largely  corrected  in  public  thought 
by  the  war  time  activities  of  our  movement.  As  one 
of  our  State  Committees  has  phrased  it: 

"The  community  of  interest  which  was  made  manifest  in 
the  effort  to  carry  the  message  of  Truth  to  soldiers  and 
sailors  has  brought  out  permanently  the  thought  and  ideal 
of  the  brotherhood  of  man.  It  has  been  a  source  of  gratifica- 
tion everywhere  to  know  that  our  church  has  been  able  to 
stand  before  the  community  as  a  Church  Militant  in  a  great 
cause." 

Another  note  of  gratitude  is  added  by  the  Com- 
mittee who  wrote: 

"The  Christian  Scientist  not  only  found  that  he  could 
enter  the  war  work  and  still  keep  'within  the  wide  channels 
of  The  Mother  Church'  (Church  Manual,  page  45),  but  he 
learned  the  joy  of  giving.  In  this  work  many  have  been 
healed  of  the  belief  that  only  the  activity  of  the  branch 
church  had  any  demands  on  them,  and  are  grateful  for  a 
closer  relationship  and  a  clearer  understanding  of  what  The 
Mother  Church  stands  for,  thus  gaining  a  broader  sense  of 
what  a  humanitarian  is." 

More  important  than  the  attitude  of  the  public  at 
large  towards  Christian  Science,  is  the  good  which  has 
come  to  Christian  Scientists  themselves  through  this 
joint  activity.  One  of  our  State  Committees  puts  the 
matter  very  well  in  the  following  words : 

"The  Christian  Science  movement  in  our  state  has  expe- 
rienced immeasurable  benefits,  as  a  result  of  the  War  Relief 
activity.  Not  the  least  of  these  is  the  cordial  cooperation 
and  closer  Christian  fellowship  that  has  been  brought  about 
through  its  agency.  The  churches  and  societies  have  re- 
sponded generously  and  cheerfully  to  the  call  for  funds  and 

365 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

help  of  various  kinds.  This  willing  and  helpful  spirit  has 
served  to  unite  hearts  and  hands  in  the  maintenance  and 
upbuilding  of  our  beloved  cause.  As  one  church  writes :  'The 
oneness  of  purpose  in  this  work  has  developed  a  unity  and 
friendliness  between  our  neighbors  and  ourselves,  which  is 
one  of  the  blessings  not  to  be  overlooked.  The  War  Relief 
work  has  been  a  great  blessing  not  only  for  the  present  but 
for  the  future.  We  are  grateful  for  the  channels  provided 
by  The  Mother  Church,  through  which  our  branch  church 
has  been  able  to  express  its  love  and  gratitude  and  to  demon- 
strate a  better  understanding  of  substance;  which  better 
understanding  has  been  the  impetus  to  raise  our  church 
debt  during  the  next  two  years,  instead  of  seven  years,  as 
the  plan  was  before  the  War  Relief  work  began.'  Those 
churches  and  societies  which  have  manifested  the  deepest 
interest  in  this  War  Relief  work  have  noted  an  increased 
attendance  at  their  Sunday  services;  a  more  spontaneous 
response  to  the  invitation  extended  Wednesday  evenings  to 
give  testimonies  of  healing  through  Christian  Science;  a 
larger  attendance  at  lectures ;  a  quickened  activity  in  the 
Reading  Rooms  and  in  the  distribution  of  the  literature,  as 
well  as  a  more  generous  support,  financially  and  otherwise, 
of  all  church  activities." 

Another  State  Chairman  writes: 

"The  effect  of  the  War  Relief  and  Camp  Welfare  work 
upon  the  Christian  Science  movement  in  our  state  is  the 
development  of  a  consciousness  of  greater  unity  among 
Christian  Scientists  and  a  sense  of  power  of  action,  the 
consciousness  that  we  can,  if  called  upon,  do  a  great  work 
well,  each  doing  his  part." 

Still  another  writes: 

"There  has  been  a  distinct  broadening  and  quickening  of 
spiritual  thought  here.  This  has  come  from  the  enlarged 
view  of  the  true  idea  of  brotherhood  that  was  gained  through 
acceptance  of  this   opportunity   for  loving  service  to   the 

366 


*WS«w* 


A  Few  of  Our  Boys 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

stranger  within  and  without  our  gates,  as  well  as  those  of 
our  own  household.  Evidences  of  this  are  to  be  found  in  the 
closing  up  of  the  ranks  where  disunity  had  seemed  to  exist,  in 
increased  activity  for  the  cause,  in  more  spontaneity  in  testi- 
monies and  in  a  growth  of  attendance  at  branch  churches." 

Universal  participation  in  the  War  Relief  work 
was  one  of  its  most  helpful  features.  On  this  point 
one  Committee  says : 

"Besides  the  activities  in  the  organized  branch  churches 
of  The  Mother  Church,  individuals  and  groups  of  Christian 
Scientists  in  isolated  parts  of  the  state  lovingly  cooperated. 
Churches  and  societies  both  large  and  small  expressed  great 
joy  that  this  privilege  had  come  to  them." 

The  natural  result  of  this  unity  of  thought  and 
action  was  in  quickened  activity  throughout  the  Field. 
In  one  of  our  larger  cities  the  sense  of  fellowship 
established  by  joint  participation  in  War  Relief 
work,  together  with  a  deeper  gratitude  for  Christian 
Science,  prompted  a  united  effort  to  raise  sufficient 
funds  to  dedicate  all  the  church  edifices  in  that  city 
within  a  short  period  of  time. 

The  larger  giving  which  was  stimulated  by  the 
needs  of  the  war  work,  quickened  the  sense  of  abun- 
dance in  a  church  of  another  state  and  brought  forth 
the  following: 

"Since  starting  the  War  Relief  fund  and  working  out  this 
problem  of  supply,  our  attendance  has  increased  and  we 
have  been  able  to  meet  our  regular  expenses  much  more  easily 
than  before." 

Still  another  evidence  of  good  resulting  from  the 
cooperative  activity  of  Christian  Scientists  in  work- 
ing for  the  War  Relief  Committee  is  contained  in 
these  words: 

367 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"Through  the  affiliation  of  the  members  of  the  State  Com- 
mittee, which  brought  together  each  month  representatives 
of  the  seven  largest  churches,  and  through  the  constant 
communication  with  all  the  churches  and  societies  by  corre- 
spondence and  visits  of  the  members  of  the  State  Committee, 
a  fellowship  and  common  purpose  and  interest  now  exist 
which  will  no  doubt  be  perpetuated  by  means  of  the  co- 
operative work  throughout  the  state  by  the  Literature  Dis- 
tribution Committees  which  have  now  been  organized  by  all 
the  churches." 

Another  Chairman  writes  along  the  same  line: 

"A  greater  interest  has  been  manifested  in  our  periodicals 
by  reason  of  this  War  Relief  work,  and  I  believe  we  have  a 
better  appreciation  of  the  missionary  work  accomplished 
through  a  systematic  and  intelligent  distribution  of  our  lit- 
erature by  our  local  organization." 

The  outcome  of  this  activity,  roused  and  stimulated 
by  the  unselfish  desire  to  bring  the  blessing  of  Chris- 
tian Science  to  the  men  in  uniform,  was  inevitable. 
Services  were  inaugurated  in  many  places  where  they 
had  never  previously  existed.  Informal  organizations 
were  established  and  in  a  few  instances  what  had  been 
informal  gatherings  became  regularly  organized 
churches  or  societies.  The  following  cases  will  illus- 
trate this  point: 

From  Port  Townsend,  Washington,  our  Worker 
wrote : 

"I  am  happy  to  tell  you  that  on  last  evening  the  Christian 
Scientists  of  Port  Townsend  voted  to  continue  the  War 
Relief  Rooms  as  Christian  Science  Reading  Rooms,  and  to 
organize  a  Christian  Science  church.  The  meeting  was  a  very 
helpful  one,  a  spirit  of  love  and  unity  pervading  all.  We  feel 
that  the  real  church  has  appeared  in  consciousness  and  that 

368 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

we  are  building  on  Principle.  I  have  promised  to  stay  here 
two  or  three  months  and  help  get  established;  also  I  have 
offered  my  services  in  the  Reading  Rooms  for  that  length 
of  time,  so  there  need  be  no  break  in  the  work  already  started. 
Tonight  we  hold  our  first  civilian  services  and  the  indications 
are  that  we  will  have  a  crowd.  I  know  you  will  rejoice  with 
me  over  this  unfoldment.  It  has  occurred  to  me  that  the  War 
Relief  work  was  the  bud  and  the  new  church  the  flower.  .  .  . 
You  will  be  glad  to  know  that  our  first  Sunday  morning  serv- 
ice was  full  to  overflowing,  several  people  having  to  sit  on 
the  window  sill.  After  the  service  there  were  expressions  of 
joy  and  thankfulness  on  every  side  for  the  new  organization. 
Upon  seeing  all  the  chairs  occupied  and  people  filling  the 
window  sill,  I  realized  that  we  would  have  to  make  different 
seating  arrangements  in  the  future,  and  you  can  imagine  my 
joy  at  being  approached  after  the  service  by  some  one  whom 
I  had  not  met  before,  who  told  me  that  he  had  about  twenty- 
five  folding  chairs  that  we  were  welcome  to  use.  This  man 
proved  to  be  the  local  undertaker.  With  our  ex-gambling 
tables,  our  'undertaking'  chairs,  and  an  ex-saloon  converted 
into  a  church  and  Reading  Room,  we  feel  that  we  have  indeed 
'turned  swords  into  ploughshares.'  " 

Of  the  work  in  Deming,  New  Mexico,  a  report 
says: 

"The  value  of  the  work  in  Deming  and  the  surrounding 
country  has  been  marvelous.  There  had  been  a  small  band 
of  students  here  who  had  struggled  along  several  years  and 
many  who  were  looking  for  proofs.  As  a  result  of  the  activi- 
ties the  local  congregation  is  now  located  in  a  store  building 
which  has  been  attractively  decorated  by  the  Sunday  School, 
at  small  cost.  The  congregation  bought  and  paid  for  the 
furnishings  that  were  formerly  in  the  Welfare  Rooms  and  is 
now  buying  a  piano.  The  attendance  has  increased  notice- 
ably and  there  has  been  a  great  demand  for  work." 

369 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

In  an  Oregon  report  we  read: 

"As  a  direct  result  of  the  Spruce  Camp  work  one  new  Chris- 
tian Science  Society  has  been  formed  and  reported  to  us. 
Undoubtedly  there  are  others  formed  as  neighborhood  groups 
that  conduct  a  regular  service  in  the  way  that  so  many  socie- 
ties start,  but  which  we  have  no  means  of  knowing  about.  We 
cannot  help  feeling  very  sure  that  growth  along  this  line  will 
be  externalized  in  the  future  out  in  the  smaller  places  in  our 
thinly  peopled  state." 

In  Hattiesburg,  Mississippi,  there  had  been  no 
organized  Christian  Science  services.  Our  Worker  at 
Camp  Shelby  wrote  us  in  June,  1918: 

"It  is  indeed  a  privilege  to  be  able  to  inform  you  that 
during  the  past  week  the  writer  has  been  of  service  to  the 
Christian  Scientists  here  in  Hattiesburg  in  getting  them 
together  for  organized  work.  This  morning  we  held  the  first 
Sunday  morning  service  with  an  attendance  of  at  least 
twenty,  in  the  home  of  one  of  the  Scientists  and  it  was  much 
appreciated  by  all." 

When  the  War  Relief  work  at  that  camp  was 
closed  the  Committee  Room  was  turned  over  to  the 
little  group  of  local  workers.  They  were  presented 
with  the  books  used  in  the  Reading  Room  and  pur- 
chased the  furniture  and  fittings  at  a  nominal  sum. 
They  wrote: 

"Through  the  spiritual  uplift  and  encouragement  thus 
realized  we  are  going  forward  and  shall,  thanks  to  your 
great  kindness,  continue  to  keep  the  room  in  the  Carter 
Building  and  meet  there  on  Sundays  and  Wednesdays  and 
every  day  in  the  Reading  Room.  The  money  for  the  furnish- 
ings has  all  been  raised  and  was  mailed  to  you  day  before 
yesterday.  For  this  help,  and  also  for  the  set  of  fourteen 
volumes,  we  thank  you  many,  many  times.  The  good  seed 
has  been  sown  here  and,  in  appreciation,  we  shall  endeavor 

370 


UNSELFISH  LABOR  REWARDED 

to  be  good  reflectors  of  Truth  and  sow  the  seed  to  help 
others." 

In  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  near  Camp  Beauregard, 
the  work  of  the  local  Scientists  received  a  great 
impetus  through  the  advent  of  the  War  Relief  Com- 
mittee. When  the  soldiers'  room  was  closed  the  furni- 
ture, literature  and  supplies  were  presented  to  the 
Scientists  for  use  in  the  Reading  Room.  In  their  reply 
they  said: 

"We  find  ourselves  quite  unable  to  express  our  gratitude 
for  this  gift  of  Love.  During  the  past  year  we  have  received 
such  a  wealth  of  comfort,  inspiration  and  light  through 
immediate  contact  with  the  activity  of  the  War  Relief  work 
that  we  are  indeed  unspeakably  grateful.  This  added  gift  of 
good  conveys  the  idea  of  abundance  better  characterized  in 
the  words  of  the  Master  as  'good  measure,  pressed  down,  and 
shaken  together,  and  running  over.' " 

When  the  War  Relief  Committee  first  sent  a 
Worker  to  Camp  Wadsworth,  South  Carolina,  rooms 
were  opened  in  Spartanburg,  a  near-hy  town,  and 
services  were  inaugurated  to  which  the  civilian  Scien- 
tists were  invited.  There  was  much  interest  shown  and 
the  result  has  been  the  continuance  of  the  work  by  the 
local  Scientists  who  bought  the  equipment  of  the  War 
Relief  Room  and  are  now  holding  their  services  in 
the  room  formerly  occupied  by  the  Committee. 

In  Pennsylvania  likewise  an  incident  of  this  kind 
occurred.  Rooms  were  opened  by  the  Committee  in 
Gettysburg  for  the  use  of  the  men  training  at  Camp 
Colt.  The  civilians  began  to  attend  and  interest  in- 
creased. When  the  War  Relief  work  came  to  an  end, 
the  State  Committee  wrote  to  the  Scientists  in  Gettys- 
burg: 

371 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 

"By  unanimous  vote,  the  State  Committee  of  Pennsyl- 
vania contributes  the  furniture  and  all  equipment  belonging 
to  the  Committee  that  is  in  the  room  in  the  Kadel  Building 
at  Gettysburg,  to  the  local  Christian  Scientists,  to  help  them 
carry  on  the  work  that  was  begun  there  by  the  enlisted  men 
of  Camp  Colt.  We  will  ever  consider  this  little  Society  our 
beloved  child.  Knowing  that  its  growth  will  be  sturdy,  we 
send  it  forth  with  loving  thoughts,  and  with  gratitude  that 
the  privilege  was  ours  to  give  this  necessary  equipment." 

The  Chairman  of  the  Texas  Committee  in  one  of 
his  recent  reports  says: 

"One  outstanding  feature  of  the  work  along  the  Mexican 
Border  has  been  to  start  a  number  of  new  unorganized 
Societies  in  places  where  there  had  never  been  any  before, 
and  the  rejuvenation  of  others  which  had  lapsed  or  were 
about  to  lapse.  This  was  brought  about  largely  by  the  fact 
that  the  passing  of  our  car  with  the  name  of  the  Committee 
painted  on  the  side  caused  those  interested  in  Science  to  stop 
the  Worker,  and  in  a  short  time  he  was  able  to  make  these 
people  acquainted  with  others  in  their  town  who  were  also 
interested  but  who  had  not  known  of  the  presence  of  other 
Christian  Scientists  there. 

"While  helping  to  start  the  work  on  the  Border,  one  in- 
stance of  this  kind  came  under  my  own  observation.  We  had 
stopped  at  a  garage  in  Mercedes,  when  we  noticed  a  car 
draw  up  a  few  feet  away.  A  lady  got  out  and  approached 
us.  She  lived  just  two  miles  from  Mercedes,  where  a  few 
Christian  Scientists  had  been  holding  services  in  the  home 
of  one  member,  but  she  had  been  going  to  San  Benito,  eight- 
een miles  away,  because  she  knew  nothing  of  the  service  in  the 
town  near  at  hand. 

"In  another  instance  a  Society  had  suspended  services  in 
January  and  their  card  had  been  removed  from  the  Journal. 
There  was  a  Border  camp  at  this  place  and  through  letters 
to  the  former  First  Reader,  interest  was  finally  aroused  in 

372 


UNSELFISH    LABOR    REWARDED 

helping  any  boys  who  might  be  interested  in  Christian 
Science  at  this  post.  Finally  the  Chairman  was  able  to  visit 
this  town  on  one  of  his  trips  along  the  Border  and  four  or 
five  Scientists  met  him.  After  talking  about  the  need  of  main- 
taining a  service,  which  any  soldiers  interested  in  Christian 
Science  might  attend,  the  Scientists  agreed  to  start  the  work 
again  the  following  Sunday  and  did  so.  A  recent  letter  states 
that  there  is  now  a  comfortable  roomful  at  every  service." 


In  submitting  these  pages  we  have  endeavored  to 
make  an  interesting  and  readable  story  and  hope  that 
the  incidents  selected  and  the  testimonials  of  healing 
and  gratitude  quoted  will  convince  all  those  who  have 
supported  the  War  Relief  work  of  its  practical  and 
far-reaching  nature. 

In  bringing  this  report  to  a  close,  the  compilers 
wish  to  make  it  clear  that  the  story  has  not  been  writ- 
ten with  any  thought  of  glorifying  Christian  Scien- 
tists, or  of  overemphasizing  their  part  in  the  great 
war.  No  better  words  could  be  found  to  express  their 
motive  in  preparing  this  history,  than  those  of 
Malachi  3 :16,"  Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake 
often  one  to  another:  and  the  Lord  hearkened,  and 
heard  it,  and  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written 
before  Him  for  them  that  feared  the  Lord,  and  that 
thought  upon  His  name*' 


373 


CAMP  WORKERS 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Camp  Workers  and 
Welfare  Room  Attendants  employed  by  the  Christian 
Science  War  Relief  Committee  during  the  period  be- 
tween November,  1917,  and  June,  1919.  The  rapid 
changes  which  the  camp  work  sometimes  demanded 
made  it  difficult  to  keep  a  full  and  accurate  record 
of  the  Workers,  but  this  list  has  been  made  as  com- 
plete as  the  information  at  the  disposal  of  the  Com- 
mittee permitted. 


CAMP  WORKERS— UNITED  STATES 


Richard  H.  Allen 
Walter  Lone  Anderson 
Noblit  A.  Avery 
Levis  C.  Babcock 
William  Pennington  Baker 
W.  S.  Baker 
Quilter  C.  Ball 
Albert  E.  Belk 
Miss  Simita  Benatar 
M.  L.  Bidwell 
Franklin  Blake 
H.  Graham  Bleakly 
Walter  Thane  Boyden 
Charles  A.  Brand 
Charles  Henry  Carby 
G.  Herman  Carl 
Leonard  Tillotson  Carney 
John  Robert  Carr 


Ralph  Castle 
Herbert  E.  Cather 
Albert  M.  Cheney 
Joseph  Coffer 
Jacob  H.  Cook 
Royal  A.  Cooke 
William  E.  Cooper 
George  Henry  Cox 
Henry  H.  Creighton 
Edward  Earle  Daniell 
Charles  E.  Davies 
Thomas  Harold  Dexter 
Louis  E.  Dill 
Arthur  W.  Eckman 
Durand  Felter 
Harry  K.  Filler 
Benjamin  L.  Foster 
William  0.  Freeman 


374 


CAMP  WORKERS 


Mrs.  Jeanette  George 

William  Templeton  Giles 

Arthur  J.  Lee  Gillard 

Harry  C.  Goddard 

William  J.  Govan 

Louis  A.  Gregory 

Henry  Higby  Gutterson 

Charles  F.  Hackett 

Mrs.  Rosemary  B.  Hackett 

Mrs.  Ida  May  Harvey 

Roy  L.  Harvey 

F.  Cannon  Herrick 

J.  Grant  Hinds 

Thelvin  Howard  Hobbs 

Adam  O.  Hoppes 

Fred  W.  Indermille 

John  Paul  Jones 

M.  Phillip  Jones 

Miss  Irene  Campbell  I.  Jones 

William  Lawrence  Keller 

William  E.  Kellogg 

Richard  M.  Kendall 

Mrs.  Henrietta  L.  King 

Earl  M.  Knatvold 

Frank  C.  LeBlond 

Benjamin  H.  Leighton 

Melville  C.  K.  Little 

Thomas  W.  Luce 

Arthur  W.  Marriott 

Herbert  G.  Mauch 

E.  Perry  Maxfield 

Mrs.  Edith  Gray  Mayo 

Earl  McCloud 

Clarence  M.  McDaniel 

Sidney  S.  Morgan 

John  L.  Mothershead 


Horace  Ambrose  Negus 
William  Weaver  Nott 
William  Merritt  Pardue 
Oscar  Graham  Peeke 
Elmer  H.  Pepper 
William  H.  Pevear 
Archie  Benson  Pickell 
Israel  Pickens 
William  Leander  Post 
George  Wilber  Reed 
Joseph  W.  Reynolds 
Harry  L.  Rhodes 

B.  A.  Robison 
Clair  D.  Robison 
Charles  J.  Roesser 
O.  Louis  Saal 
Charles  Sapp 
Samuel  L.  Schoenfield 
Charles  F.  Schram 
Mrs.  Louise  Severance 
Floyd  C.  Shank 
Charles  F.  Southworth 
John  G.  Spangler 
Mrs.  Zilpha  Ann  Stack 
Mrs.  Edith  S.  Stearns 
Robert  S.  Stearns 
Ralph  W.  Still 

Paul  Stinchfield 
Henry  G.  Streight 
George  H.  Tangeman 
John  Beach  Tillotson 
Carl  W.  Tuerke 

C.  Fred  Verleger 

Mrs.  Lillian  G.  Webster 
Robert  L.  Weed 
Lloyd  E.  Whitney 


375 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 


Edward  Hartley  Willard 
Morris  W.  Wilsey 
Charles  V.  Winn 
Charles  C.  Wolcott 


Robert  A.  Wood 
Mrs.  Lora  C.  Woodbury 
Mrs.  Laura  C.  Woodruff 
Fred  Yould 


WELFARE  ROOM  ATTENDANTS— UNITED  STATES 


Mrs.  Marion  G.  Barney  Miss 

Mrs.  Sophie  Affron  Becker  Miss 

Miss  Una  Bedichek  Mrs. 

Mrs.  G.  Harriette  Blake  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Amanda  Bodine  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Boyce  Mrs. 

Miss  Laura  M.  Burroughs  Mrs. 

Miss  Missouri  Cawthon  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Helen  Coffer  Miss 

Mrs.  Ella  Cooke  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Mary  S.  Cowan  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Clara  J.  Cunningham  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Marguerite  Dexter  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Hattie  L.  Edmondson  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Charlotte  E.  Filler  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Shirley  Flager  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Benjamin  L.  Foster  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Birdella  G.  Foster  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Lillie  C.  Gibson  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Helen  A.  Gutterson  Mrs. 

Dr.  Meta  Haley  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Kate  C.  Hamilton  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Alberta  C.  Hinson  Mrs. 

Miss  Hettie  Hutchinson  Mrs. 

Miss  Emily  Jones  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Paul  Kamanski  Mrs. 

Mrs.  Gertrude  M.  Keller  Mrs. 


Margaret  B.  Kinnane 
Mary  E.  Kline 
Scileta  F.  Langworthy 
Martha  J.  Loeber 
Gladys  H.  McCloud 
Evelyn  Depew  Miller 
Edith  L.  Morgan 
Eleanor  L.  Morgan 
Mary  Radcliffe 
Emilie  P.  Reed 
Lucy  Hays  Reynolds 
Mattie  E.  C.  Rhodes 
Charlie  S alley  Sanborn 
Elizabeth  R.  Saunier 
Charlotte  Schoenfield 
Dora  Searing 
Mary  H.  Seawright 
Helen  L.  Spangler 
Grace  Nixon  Stecher 
Flora  Stinchfield 
Eunice  Maud  Talcott 
Mae  D.  Tangeman 
May  Thompson 
Anna  C.  Tonielli 
Maude  B.  Whitehurst 
Marcia  Wilson 
Zoe  Z.  Woolery 


376 


CAMP  WORKERS 


WAR  RELIEF  WORKERS— FRANCE 


Miss  Josephine  E.  Bowditch 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Young  Brown 

William  E.  Brown 

Mrs.  Anna  McCoy  Campbell 

Miss  Agnes  F.  Chalmers 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Coffman 

Elbert  G.  Coffman 

Louis  J.  Dubois 

Mrs.  Genevieve  L.  George 

Herbert  M.  George 


Mrs.  Ida  Nelson  Higley 

Mortimer  J.  Higley 

Mrs.  Edna  H.  Howe 

Irving  B.  Howe 

Everett  W.  Morgan 

Mrs.  Elmina  A.  Potter 

Alden  F.  Potter 

Mrs.  Caroline  S.  Rowell 

James  G.  Rowell 

Miss  Bird  Stewart  Scotland 


WAR  RELIEF  WORKERS— CANADA 


Mrs.  S.  Cornfield 
S.  Britton  R.  Foster 


Major  H.  B.  Stairs 
Mrs.  Alice  Wheeler 


WAR  RELIEF  WORKERS— GREAT  BRITAIN  AND 

IRELAND 


Miss  Kate  E.  Andreae 
Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Belcher 
Miss  Evah  Bolton 
Miss  Burlingham 
Miss  Amy  J.  R.  Burton 
Miss  Susan  F.  Campbell 
Mr.  Eric  Walter  Carr 
Mrs.  Christabel  M.  Charlton 
Mr.  Samuel  Clarke 
Miss  Leonora  de  Vere  Condon 
Mrs.  Lily  Mary  Courtier 
Mr.  Cousins 

Mrs.  Annie  M.  Crawford 
Mrs.  Florence  Davies 
Miss  Maud  Fisher 
Miss  Ellen  Graham 


Miss  Margaret  J.  Harding 
Miss  Dorothy  Eileen 

Heywood 
Miss  Hicks 
Miss  Florine  M.  Hill 
Miss  Aimee  Hochstetter 
Mrs.  Eugenia  E.  Ingles 
Miss  Jane  T.  Irvine 
Miss  Amy  J.  Jasper 
Miss  Mary  Isabella 

Langrishe 
Mrs.  Grace  Crosland  Lawson 
Miss  Margaret  A.  Martin 
Mrs.  Anne  McAlister 
Miss  Helen  Mildred 
Miss  Evelyn  H.  Newton 


377 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WAR 


Mrs.  Annie  Parker 
Miss  Margaret  Philipson 
Miss  Elizabeth  Pierce 
Miss  Caroline  M.  Primrose 
Mrs.  Violet  Rhodes 
Mr.  Frederick  R.  Rhodes 
Miss  Mary  L.  Richmond 
Lady  Charlotte  E.  Rodney 
Miss  Alice  E.  Rose 
Miss  Roy 


Mrs.  Evelyn  Smith 
Mr.  Charles  W.  Swift 
Mrs.  Marguerite  Scott  Till 
Mrs.  Alice  Muriel  Tripp 
Mrs.  Clara  Waller 
Mrs.  Margaret  Grant  White 
Miss  Kate  Williams 
Miss  Gladys  Wheldale 

Wilson 
Miss  Lilia  Witherby 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  ARMY  CHAPLAINS 


William  M.  Bartlett 
Herbert  W.  Beck 
George  R.  Bonner 
Walter  S.  Cross 
Edward  W.  Dickey 


Harry  K.  Filler 
Don  C.  Gilman 
Martin  F.  Jackson 
Gustavus  S.  Paine 
Arthur  C.  Whitney 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  NAVY  CHAPLAIN 
Richard  J.  Davis 

SPECIAL  REPRESENTATIVE  IN  FRANCE 
Arthur  P.  DeCamp 


CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  WAR  RELIEF  COMMITTEE 

OF 
THE  MOTHER  CHURCH 


MANAGER 

Paul  A.  Harsch 


ASSISTANT  MANAGER 

Arthur  J.  Wallace 


378 


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